Thailand Live Friday 16 Nov 2012

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Thailand Live Friday 16 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 Thursday 15 Nov 2012

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German Kills Pet Dog, the Other Side of the Story

Full story:

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Australian and Ukrainian arrested in Pattaya protection scam

Full story:

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Thai stabbed during fight with British man in South Pattaya

Full story:

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Teen Bag thieves nabbed in record time

Full story:

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Nigerian Drug Dealer held in Pattaya

Full story:

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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CTH spring a surprise, win EPL bid

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The race for English Premier League TV rights had a surprise conclusion when "dark horse" Cable Thai Holding (CTH) snatched a threeyear deal under the noses of three big bidders including current holders Truevisions.

It was expected that one of the three major bidders - Truevisions, GMM Grammy and RS - would win the coveted deal for the country's most-watched soccer league. However, it was CTH that won the rights to broadcast the EPL matches from 2013-2014 season.

CTH president Wichai Thongtang told reporters at a conference yesterday that the contract his company won also covered neighbouring countries but he declined to reveal the value of the deal.

"We cannot tell you the figures at this stage. But, it's between Bt7-9 billion. We won the domestic rights for the EPL games but it also covers Laos and Cambodia. We're considering providing settop boxes for fans," said Wichai, who also owns shares in several leading hospitals.

Wichai, though, did not rule out the possibility of joining hands with other partners.

"We welcome everyone to join us in this business, including Truevisions with whom we still have good relationship. Two or three parties have already approached us. But, everything must be under the rules imposed by the Premier League."

The British media reported earlier this week that the Premier League TV revenues from domestic and overseas contracts was set to break the 5 billion pound barrier for the first time ever.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

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US PRESIDENT

Obama to begin visit with tour of Wat Pho

PIYANART SRIVALO,

PAKAMARD JAICHALARD

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- US President Barack Obama's visit to Thailand will not focus solely on important bilateral issues, but will include a cultural element, as the president has chosen to begin his trip with a visit to Wat Pho on Sunday.

Full story:

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

China welcomes 'positive' US role

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Wen Jiabao

Beijing will oppose interference in internal affairs of countries in the region, says ambassador Guan Mu

BANGKOK: -- With its new leadership team in place, China will have no problem with the role of the United States in Thailand, and welcomed any of its constructive roles in this fast-growing region, Chinese Ambassador Guan Mu said yesterday.

Full story:

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MCOT

Judge issues opinion backing Sorrayuth

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A judge advocate of the Central Administrative Court yesterday expressed his opinion that MCOT should return more than Bt49 million to media personality Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda in a dispute over advertisement revenue sharing.

Full story:

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Thailand and the ICC: Wrong reason, right idea

Benjamin Zawacki

Special to The Nation

A red-shirt protester holds a Democracy Monument model during a demonstration at the Monument in Bangkok in June to commemorate the end of the absolute monarchy in Thailand 80 years ago.

Full story:

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TABLET COMPUTERS

1.69M devices to be bought at 4 auctions

SUPINDA NA MAHACHAI

THE NATION

Olarn to head panel drafting terms; Thai firms look to bid

BANGKOK: -- The government will purchase 1.69 million computer tablets for first graders and first-year high school students in four lots through e-auctions.

Full story:

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Obama help sought for jailed Thais

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A Senate panel has called on US President Barack Obama to help secure the release of two Thai activists from Cambodian jails when he visits Phnom Penh.

Full story:

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THAI-US RELATIONS

Thai-US pact will ensure 'enduring US presence'

The Nation, Agencies

US secretary of Defence Leon Panetta, right, inspects a guard of honour during his official visit to Thailand yesterday as part of a trip to strengthen US relations with Southeast Asian nations. Accompanying him was Thai Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwa

Full story:

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Pheu Thai to field Pongsapat in governor race

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a deputy national police chief who also serves as secretary-general of the Narcotics Control Board, has agreed to run as the Pheu Thai Party candidate in the upcoming Bangkok governor's election, according to party sources.

Full story:

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BURNING ISSUE

Rivals must follow path of democracy

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government and its Pitak Siam opponents have proclaimed to be protectors of democracy but they should not have done so.

Full story:

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Condo opponents plan Supreme Court appeal

JANJIRA PONGRAI,

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Opponents of a condominium in Siang Son Niwet Village on Soi Sukhumvit 68 in Bangkok say they will take their case to the Supreme Court after the Central Administrative Court ruled in favour of the state environmental agency and the condo's developer yesterday.

Full story:

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Film festival director 'Victor' to be honoured by French government

Veena Thoopkrajae

The Nation

Victor

BANGKOK: -- The 10th World Film Festival of Bangkok raises its curtain today with double delights as its director Kriangsak "Victor" Silakong will be honoured by the French government with an Ordre des Arts et des Lettres during the opening ceremony at Paragon Cineplex.

Full story:

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Village headman killed in South

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- A village headman was fatally shot in front of his home in Lubobatu Moo 4 in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district yesterday at 10.30am, while an assistant kamnan of tambon Chang Pheuk in Chanae district was slain while going to tap rubber at 6am.

Village headman Pohsu Jehlong, 46, was fatally shot three times by two gunmen on a motorcycle. They were wearing Islamic Dawah clothes, his son Taofik Jehlong, 22, who witnessed the shooting, told police. Pohsu was shot once in the forehead and twice in the back.

Assistant kamnan Ibrohim Taleh, 49, was shot three times in the torso by unknown gunmen who were hiding in the bush and attacked while he was riding his motorcycle to a rubber plantation.

In Yala's Kabang sub-district, villager Ma-ae Jehtae, 40, was fatally shot at 9.55am by gunmen on a motorcycle while he was riding his motorbike to tap rubber.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

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Testimony delayed

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former education minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat yesterday sent a lawyer to seek postponement of his testimony in a Department of Special Investigation corruption case involving the Bt5.3-billion procurement of equipment for vocational schools.

Chinnaworn wants to delay this testimony until the end of the month because he still has documents to prepare. Another accused official, former deputy minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat, remained silent.

Two other suspects in the DSI probe are Jiang Wongsawatsuriya, director of the Vocational Education Commission's Bureau of Policy and Planning, and Bamrung Aramreung, director of Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya Technical College.

The DSI issued warrants for the four to testify yesterday. DSI investigator Thawan Mangkhang said if the three others failed to show up, they would be summoned again and if they still don't appear, the case will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

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Third shooter sought

The Nation

SONGKHLA: -- Police investigating the November 7 killing of Songkhla Mayor Peera Tantiserani are seeking a third shooter.

One suspected gunman, Paisal Nupan, 47, is in custody, while another suspect, Niwat Ratkaew, 46, remains at large.

Peera's royal-sponsored cremation, presided over by Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, was held yesterday afternoon.

Police searched a house in Tambon Rong of Songkhla's Krasaesin district and Niwat's hometown in Ranote district, but found he had fled the area two days before the arrest warrant was issued.

Using evidence delivered yesterday by the Forensic Science Police Centre 9, police are now seeking an arrest warrant for a third suspect.

-- The Nation 2012-11-16

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Taxi operators launch drive to boost fleet at Phuket Airport

Phuket Gazette

Sarawut Srisakhukham (left), president of the Mai Khao local administration, reviews the list of taxi drivers aiming to become legal by joining one of the co-operatives that formally serve Phuket International Airport. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

Songtham Mekmanee, president of the Mook Andaman co-operative of taxi drivers, said he added the extra 10 names on the list ‘just in case’. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- Three main taxi operators in Phuket have appealed to the provincial transportation committee to allow more vehicles to serve Phuket International Airport.

Full story:

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UPDATE:

Tourist and Local involved in knife brawl

By Staff Reporter

Full story:

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Obama to showcase US clout in Southeast Asia

by Shaun Tandon

WASHINGTON, Nov 15, 2012 (AFP) - President Barack Obama hopes to demonstrate rising US clout in Asia on his first foreign trip since his re-election, with a tour of three countries including a once unthinkable stop in changing Myanmar.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....southeast-asia/

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Joint Thai-US military partnership signed

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 16 – Thailand and the US have finally signed a joint vision statement for a new defence alliance between the two countries.

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RT @KristieKenney: Behind the scenes: SecDef says farewell to Bangkok

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,273.45, down 0.57 points /MCOT

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Blackout in Koh Kaew on November 20

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority (PPEA) has announced a scheduled blackout that will affect areas in Koh Kaew, north of Phuket Town, on Tuesday, November 20.

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British Man drugged and robbed by Beach Prostitute at South Pattaya Hotel

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