Thailand Live Sunday 25 Nov 2012

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Thailand Live Sunday 25 November 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

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[Lite Beer]

We lost to evil: rally leader

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- General Boonlert Kaewprasit, left, and other organisers of yesterday

Boonlert abruptly ends anti-govt rally, says supporters blocked from site; 117 protesters arrested; police use tear gas

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600456-we-lost-to-evil-rally-leader/#entry5875943

[Lite Beer]

Police, protesters blame the other for violence

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Protesters and the police blamed each other yesterday for provoking violent clashes near the site of the Pitak Siam anti-government protest.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600457-police-protesters-blame-the-other-for-violence/#entry5875948

[Lite Beer]

ANTI-GOVT PROTEST

Demonstrators told to confront police

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation on Sunday

Members of Pitak Siam clash with anti-riot police officers near Government House yesterday. Police used tear gas to repel protesters attempting to break through a roadblock to get to the site of a mass anti-government demonstration.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600459-demonstrators-told-to-confront-police/#entry5875955

[Lite Beer]

A day of emotions and action

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Here is a chronology of events during yesterday's anti-government protest.

8.35am: Anti-government protesters are unable to march past police barricades at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge to join the Royal Plaza rally. The situation intensifies.

8.47am: The Royal Plaza rally stage announces a five-minute deadline for police to open Makhawan Rangsan Bridge.

8.50am: Some demonstrators try to get in on trucks.

8.55am: Police fires tear gas at protesters, claiming protesters were trying to break into Government House, which is one of the restricted areas.

9.10am: Police and protesters continue their confrontation on the bridge, while Pitak Siam leader Boonlert "Seh Ai" Kaewprasit, on stage at the Royal Plaza, urges protesters to bring water to aid tear-gas-affected protesters.

9.30am: A total of 132 demonstrators are arrested, including ASTV photographer Santi Tehpia and Thai PBS cameraman Pattanasak Woradet, but the two are released later after fellow reporters inform police they were on duty.

9.40am: Seh Ai urges police to stop firing tear gas and take responsibility for what they had done. He also asked for three hours to assess the situation before announcing the next move.

9.41am: Police tell demonstrators to make a detour to the Wat Benjama intersection and the First Division intersection, where they will be allowed to pass through.

10am: Police fire tear gas at protesters at the Miskawan intersection to prevent them from breaking through a police barricade there.

10.42: Seh Ai urges people to join the protest without fear.

11.20: Former chief adviser to the Supreme Command, General Pathompong Kesornsuk, tells demonstrators to stay their ground and wait for more backup protesters at the bridge.

11.24am: The number of injured persons are reported at 11, including five policemen.

1.30pm: At the Miskawan intersection, protesters pressure police to open Makhawan Rangsan Bridge, resulting in firing of tear gas.

2pm: It is reported that Santi Asoke Buddhist sect leader Phra Photirak is among those injured from the tear gas.

2pm: Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth calls on the red shirts to remain calm and wait for further instructions from the leaders.

2.40pm: At the Royal Plaza, Seh Ai plays an audio clip, which he alleged had the voices of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and some red-shirt leaders talking about the monarchy.

2:45pm: Protest leaders try to use a six-wheel truck to break through police lines at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge.

3.08pm: The number of injured persons is reported at 18, including seven policemen.

Around 3.30pm: While the stand-off is ongoing, protesters prepare water-soaked clothes to protect themselves from tear gas, and police are told to be patient. Police warn they will use tear gas if the protesters press on. Tul Sitthisomwong, the multicoloured movement leader, announces they will not seize Government House but aim to take Rajdamnoen Avenue in the evening.

4.30pm: Boonlert says measures ready for more protesters to come and claims to "unveil a trump card".

5.15pm: The protest leaders call off the rally.

5.30pm: Heavy rains lash the protest site.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

Huge yaba haul in Nakhon Phanom

The Nation on Sunday

NAKHON PHANOM: -- Border Patrol Police officers yesterday seized more than 300,000 yaba (methamphetamine) pills worth Bt100 million near the bank of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province.

The officers said they set up a checkpoint and patrolled areas in tambon Ajsamart in Muang district after being tipped off that a drug gang would be transporting a large amount of the drug from a neighbouring country past an island in the Mekong River to the tambon. They found a long-tail boat belonging to the suspects near the border in that area, but when the suspects saw them, they rushed back into Laos.

They found a bag hidden in dense weeds near the area where the suspects were spotted. It contained 305,600 yaba tablets.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

Three detained in abortion-clinic raid

The Nation on Sunday

PATTAYA: -- Police yesterday arrested three people in a raid on an abortion clinic in Pattaya. The body of a female foetus aged around five months recently aborted by a 20-year-old woman was found at the clinic.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry5875968

[Lite Beer]

South insurgents kill yet another teacher

The Nation

PATTANI: -- After a long pause in the targeting of teachers by insurgents in the deep South, another was shot dead in Pattani on Thursday, becoming the 154th such victim and dealing another blow to teachers' morale.

Two other teachers were earlier wounded in the space of a week.

The death of Nanthana Kaewjan, 51, director of the Tha Kam Cham school in Nong Chik district, outraged teachers and their representative bodies over a lack of security, prompting them to confront security officials. Nanthana's murder was the first to be committed using an automatic weapon, according to a senior education official, Nopphorn Markkhongkaew.

A meeting of teachers' leaders from Pattani and two other strife-torn provinces was called for today to discuss security measures with security agencies and Fourth Army Area commander Lt-General Udomchai Thammasaro.

Bunsom Srithongphrai, the leader of an umbrella teachers' group, called on teachers to use extra caution, citing information that insurgents plan to continue targeting teachers, especially Buddhists.

Two wounded earlier

Earlier in the week, two teachers from Ban Makham in Yarang district were wounded in gun attacks, while being escorted by soldiers.

Nanthana, 51, was shot dead by someone using an automatic rifle in broad daylight on Thursday, the first teacher gunned down in this way.

An urgent meeting of directors of 40 schools in Nong Chik was called last night, after Nanthana's shooting in the evening.

Meanwhile, a motorcycle bomb attack in Narathiwat's Muang district targeting a police pickup truck carrying a squad of officers left two of them wounded.

One of the injured, the driver, forced himself to keep driving to a nearby police box despite sustaining injuries to his head, before the team was helped to safety.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

Prime minister stays at home

The Nation on Sunday November 25, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday remained in her well-guarded house in Bangkok's Lat Phrao area, as the Pitak Siam group's anti-government protest went on.

She cancelled all her earlier-scheduled appointments, including a function at the Klong Toei community. PM's Office Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal was assigned to fill in for Yingluck.

At least 300 crowd-control policemen from the Border Patrol Police and the Metropolitan Police were dispatched to man at least six checkpoints in the areas around the prime minister's house in Soi Yothin Pattana 3.

They have been assigned to provide round-the-clock security around the premises for about one week starting Thursday when the Cabinet invoked the Internal Security Act in three districts of the capital covering the protest site at the Royal Plaza.

A fire truck and a truck with emergency-light equipment were parked near the PM's house.

In the morning, shortly before the protest began, the prime minister's pre-recorded weekly TV programme, "Yingluck Government Meets the People", was broadcast on the state-run television.

She stressed that the Internal Security Act was needed to prevent possible violence during the protest.

"The government doesn't want violence to happen. We decided to take precautions and we encourage peaceful public gatherings," she said, adding that the ISA was to ensure safety for the protesters as well as other members of the public.

On Thursday, Yingluck's Cabinet invoked an ISA in three Bangkok districts around the protest site. The act allows authorities to close roads, impose curfew and ban use of electronic devices in designated areas. Since then, police have closed roads around Government House and Parliament and boosted security at the homes of senior officials, including the prime minister.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

Most Bangkok residents agree with ISA: poll

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- ​Suan Dusit Poll yesterday said most Bangkokians agreed with the government's enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) covering Bangkok's Dusit, Pom Prab and Phra Nakhon districts from November 22-30 in order to keep order and control the anti-government protest launched by Pitak Siam.

After interviewing 1,017 Bangkok residents on Friday and yesterday, the pollster said 62.38 per cent agreed with the ISA enforcement because they would feel safe and less anxious about the rally, while police would also be able to work more easily. Another 25.12 per cent disagreed, saying it sent a signal that the country was unstable, which could affect the country's image and confidence, while 12.50 per cent said they felt indifferent because the government and police should be able to control situation as usual.

Another Suan Dusit Poll survey on Friday interviewed 212 police officers who were guarding areas around the Royal Plaza prior to yesterday's rally led by Pitak Siam leader Boonlert "Seh Ai" Kaewprasit. The poll revealed that 96.23 per cent of the officers were confident they could keep order because they were well-prepared and had enough manpower, while also believing that Thais could negotiate with one another. However, 3.77 per cent weren't confident because the situation was uncertain, hard to predict and the outcome would depend on the number of demonstrators.

The police surveyed wanted the protesters to: rally within the law and cooperate with police (41.60 per cent); gather peacefully and non-violently (37.08 per cent); keep calm and patient (16.74 per cent); and not prolong the rally and get on with their lives after the rally ended (4.58 per cent). Police wanted to tell the Thai public to; be confident in their work and follow news carefully (34.29 per cent); and avoid routes to the rally (27.15 per cent).

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

Three arrested in raids in Narathiwat

The Nation on Sunday

NARATHIWAT: -- Combined security forces yesterday raided five locations in Narathiwat's Rusoh district suspected of being used by insurgents to plot a violent attack in the province. Authorities arrested three suspects and seized a large quantity of explosives and bomb-making materials.

Around 100 soldiers, police and bomb-disposal officers joined the raids after receiving a tip from local residents in the district that the sites in tambon Lalo were being used by insurgents from Runda Kumpulan Kecil. The group is one of a web of insurgent organisations believed to be behind many attacks in the restive South.

At one of the five places, on a rubber plantation, they seized a home-made bomb in a steel box weighing 11 kilograms, along with 15 other home-made bombs each weighing 0.5kg and suitable for throwing. They also seized a gas cylinder, fertiliser, petrol, nine batteries, electric wires and car paint. Tests revealed fingerprints from additional suspects on those bombs and materials.

Police believe the bombs and materials belonged to insurgents involved in a violent attack on a train in the region on November 18.

In related news, Pattani Governor Pramuk Lamun laid 12 royal wreaths on behalf of HM the King and other Royal Family members for Nanthana Kaeojan, 51, a school director who was shot dead by insurgents in Pattani on Thursday. She was the 154th educator killed in violence in the restive South. A royally sponsored cremation rite for Nanthana will be held this coming Thursday.

The Federation of Teachers in the Three Southern Border Provinces yesterday held a meeting to discuss security for teachers following Nanthana's death. They agreed to meet with security agencies, governors and religious leaders to discuss the safety measures.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

RETAILING

Commitment to green shopping

Achara Deboonme

The Nation November 25,

Tesco Lotus chief executive officer John Christie shows a reusable bag, introduced to encourage shoppers to reduce the use of plastic bags.

BANGKOK: -- Giant retailer Tesco Lotus plans major investments, campaigns to protect environment

While a big chunk of funds would be poured into distribution, which is the heart of the retailer's successful countrywide business, chief executive officer John Christie said there are plans to invest a sizeable amount to further raise consumer awareness about protecting the environment.

The giant retailer earlier this year launched a reusable bag to reduce the use of plastic bags. As an incentive, users of the bag are entitled to higher Club Card points and discounts on purchases of items from participating suppliers, led by Unilever.

This followed a campaign in 2010 to reward with Green Club Card points customers who don't use plastic bags. To date, the company has already awarded more than 100 million points to customers.

Christie sees the need for more incentives if the company wants to rouse permanent green awareness among consumers.

"We have lined up high-impact campaigns to stimulate green shopping habits while continuing to engage staff and communities in combating climate change," said Christie.

The company is now in talks with more suppliers to provide more green items. More distribution centres will be built to facilitate short-distance delivery to reduce fuel consumption. It is also in talks with the Transport Ministry for the introduction of double-container trailers, to maximise fuel consumption. The net weight of the trailers as well as routes where they could pass are on the discussion agenda.

All the plans are part of the objective to reduce carbon emissions at least by half by 2020. In Thailand, that will be equivalent to a reduction of 160,000 tonnes. Launched in 2006 - two years after the opening of the first Green Store in Southeast Asia - the green journey has cut carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 30 per cent.

With help from staff and communities, in 2007 the company launched a reforestation project to plant 9 million trees by 2013. To date, it has raised funds enough to grow 8 million trees.

In 2011, it opened the first zero-carbon store in Asia, using the latest technologies to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, and then completely offset the remaining carbon by using renewable energy sources on site. Though this is not intended to be a model for new stores, it is used to shed some light on consumer behaviour. For example, consumers were first reluctant to open refrigerators as they were pasted with paper board to keep temperature low. Some other successful practices, which could reduce energy consumption, are also deployed at other stores.

"As Thailand's leading retailer, we realise it's a big challenge to protect our environment. There is a big opportunity as well. We are working hard on working with suppliers, with customers, with staff and with the communities. Together, we are trying to make a difference. We know that working together we could achieve much more than purely Tesco Lotus could achieve on its own," Christie said.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Focus of Sino-Thai relations should be more than rice

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- MoU leaves too many issues unclear, but amid increasing US and Chinese interest in the region, policy-makers need a strategy to engage superpowers

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600461-focus-of-sino-thai-relations-should-be-more-than-rice/#entry5875999

[Lite Beer]

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Thai tips for Lao farmers

ACHARA DEBOONME

THE NATION

Hongsa, Laos

With training from Thai companies, villagers in Hongsa are turning home-made Sa paper into value-added products like paper bags and diaries

LAOS: --A German-Thai venture is helping them grow posaa to supply to Sa paper-making factories in Thailand, and one coming up in Laos next year to increase their incomes

A cooperation venture with German International Cooperation and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) was kicked off in 2008, to share Thailand's best strengths with neighbouring countries under a government-to-government framework. Out of the funding of 120,000 euro per project, Thailand contributes 30 per cent and the German government sponsors the rest.

"These countries can ask for help in specific areas," said Jarukan Rassiri, programme manager of Thai-German Trilateral Cooperation. "They need not be the areas where Germany assisted Thailand before, but it can be in areas where Thailand possesses strengths."

Since the programme was kicked off, six projects have been launched. Two projects in Vietnam aim to help the country strengthen its small and medium-sized enterprises, and set up a cooperative scheme. One project in Cambodia was started recently, after being delayed due to political tension between Thailand and Cambodia.

Three projects are now being undertaken in Laos, including the project to develop the Song River basin and help Laos achieve the Good Cultural Practices certificate. But GIZ should witness great success from the posaa mulberry capacity enhancement project.

According to Jarukan, the posaa project was inspired by the fact that Thailand reaped export income of more than Bt5 billion from Sa paper, though about 90 per cent of the raw material, posaa, is supplied from Laos. While farmers in Laos get Bt4-Bt8 per kg of posaa, the price goes up to nearly Bt50 when it reaches a Sa paper factory in Thailand. Laos wants the right knowledge to get the right materials.

The Lao government also wants to promote posaa plantation at a time when forests are being encroached upon for plantation of high-yield crops like corn.

At the end of the project, a Sa paper factory - a Thai-Lao joint venture or a Thai-owned business - is envisioned.

Success will not come overnight, though.

Started three years ago, the project involved mainly training supervision by experts from Thailand. Lao officers were trained to educate Lao farmers in harvesting and preparing posaa, so that they could get a better price. The officers are also equipped with knowledge to bargain with middlemen to raise the posaa price in the hope that higher income would encourage farmers to shift from other economic crops like corn and Job's tears, which have led to forest encroachment.

Under the project, farmers are encouraged to adopt new practices in nurturing naturally grown posaa trees, properly peeling off the bark and storing the material.

According to Somland Insaveng, an officer of Muang Ngern, a district of Hongsa, farmers are discouraged from growing posaa due to the low prices. Sometimes, they had the material but no buyer showed up. The material was then tossed away.

Khamsing Chindamany, another officer, said that pricing is the key. Price guarantee would help a lot in encouraging farmers to join the scheme.

In Hongsa, farmers' household income is only 3 million kip a year or about Bt12,000 a year.

That explains why Rat Jongjin, a farmer in Hongsa, is upbeat about the project.

"If the price is 5,000 kip [bt20] a kilo, I would quit growing rice," he said. "The price-pledging scheme is attractive. Now, we are producing posaa as a source of extra income."

Raksak Lorseemek, the representative of a Thai Sa paper mill, said the price-guarantee scheme is welcome if it guarantees raw material supply. Thai paper-makers have so far been disappointed with the supply of raw materials. Even though they are ready to pay a higher price, they have to face problems in dealing with the authorities and in transporting the materials out of Laos.

He also complained about the lack of uniformity of transport rules of different cities in Laos.

Covering 300 households, the trilateral project's target is to produce 500 tonnes of posaa per annum. About half the quantity will be supplied to Sa paper factories in Thailand while the rest is expected to go to the Sa paper factory expected to open in Laos after the project ends in March 2013.

Thai Sa paper factory owners are being coerced to pay for seedlings, to guarantee raw materials. Lao agricultural officers are positive that if the posaa price goes up, more farmers would join the scheme. According to Kamsing, the Sa paper factory could also help in this regard. And the Lao government is ready to offer incentives, including a rule barring any new factory in the same area for five years, aside from other tax incentives.

"If farmers can sell directly to the paper mill, the middlemen would be cut off and farmers would get a higher price. This will encourage more farmers to grow posaa and earn a higher income," he said.

The Thai-German scheme also commissioned a feasibility study of the desirable Sa paper factory in Laos. The factory is designed to come up with an environmentally friendly water management system. However, as a full-scale factory could require an investment of more than Bt50 million, investors are more inclined to test the waters with a small-scale model that requires the investment of some Bt5 million. Some Thai investors who own factories in Chiang Mai and Sukhothai are now in Laos to inspect potential locations.

According to Jarukan, similar consultation would be extended under the trilateral cooperation. When the first batch of Germany's financial help ends in 2014, she expects to have 8-9 projects. Timor Leste could be another country to benefit from the cooperation, as it is seeking continued consultation on Thailand's knowledge of the sufficiency economy philosophy.

-- The Nation 2012-11-25

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 7:30am Northern end of the Royal Plaza leading to Parliament is still blocked (Pic @Yanee_Waikru) pic.twitter.com/VLotl884

[Lite Beer]

RT@KristieKenney: Good morning! Shop for charity today. YWCA charity bazaar at Central World. @USEmbassyBKK will sell steaks & other US products.

[Lite Beer]

Grand Public Audience Granted by His Majesty the King at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

His Majesty the King will appear on the open balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall within the Dusit Palace in a grand public audience on the auspicious occasion of his birthday.

The grand public audience is scheduled for Wednesday, 5 December 2012, at 10:30 a.m.

The Organizing Committee for the Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Birthday 2012, chaired by Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, held a meeting on 21 November to make preparations for the grand public audience and other activities in celebration of His Majesty’s 85th birthday.

According to the schedule of the grand public audience, His Majesty the King will proceed to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall from Siriraj Hospital in a motorcade at 10:00 a.m. When the ceremony begins, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn opens the conical cover of the flower container in the floral tribute and delivers a congratulatory statement on behalf of the Royal Family.

The Prime Minister, the President of the National Assembly, and the President of the Supreme Court perform the same gesture and deliver congratulatory statements on behalf of the Cabinet, government officials, and the general public, the legislature, and the judiciary, respectively. Then the Supreme Commander delivers a speech of tribute and leads the Royal Guards in taking the Oath of Allegiance. His Majesty the King then delivers a royal address in response to the grand assembly and takes leave.

The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall, which is the location of the grand public audience, was constructed in Western style more than 100 years ago. The Western style of architecture is blended with intricate Thai furnishings and topped with domes. The throne hall is the venue for the inauguration of the National Assembly.

On the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne in 2006, this throne hall was the location of the grand public audience granted by His Majesty, as well. It was also used to receive foreign monarchs and royalty attending the ceremony of the presentation of congratulations to His Majesty the King.

This is the first time after 9 June 2006, marking His Majesty’s 60th year on the throne, that His Majesty will make an appearance before a grand audience at the balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. His Majesty the King appeared on the balcony of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace in a grand public audience on 5 December 2011, as part of the celebrations of His Majesty’s 84th birthday.

In order to join the upcoming public audience, the public was urged to wear yellow shirts, as yellow represents Monday, the birthday of His Majesty the King. His Majesty was born on 5 December 1927.

The general public will also be provided with a variety of celebrative performances free of charge at Sanam Luang from 1-6 December. On 5 December at 7:19 p.m. at Sanam Luang, the Prime Minister will preside over the candle-lit tribute-paying ceremony. She will give a speech of tribute and offer felicitations in front of the portrait of His Majesty the King.

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister

[Lite Beer]

Spectacular Cultural Activities to Celebrate Loy Krathong Festival

All parts of Thailand are preparing to organize various cultural activities to celebrate Loy Krathong Festival, one of the most fascinating water-based cultural events in the country.

The festival takes place all over Thailand on the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which in 2012 falls on Wednesday, 28 November.

In many places, the festival lasts a few days, but the highlight is on the full moon night, when people gather on the banks of rivers and canals to float their krathong, a small vessel traditionally made of banana leaves or the main stalk of a banana plant.

It is a form of thanksgiving by the people to the waterways on which they depend. The festival is also meant to seek pardon from the Goddess of Water for their sins in polluting the water. For the rural folk, this festival is believed to carry away the sins and misfortunes of the past year.

People celebrate this festival by lighting candles and incense sticks, making a wish, and carefully placing the krathong in a river, canal, stream, or pond. The krathong usually contains some candles, incense sticks, flowers, and coins.

There is evidence that in the days when Sukhothai was the capital of the Thai Kingdom, Loy Krathong was a state ceremony, a way of paying homage to sacred beings. Then, the tradition was modified when Nang Nopphamat, a favorite consort of King Phra Rueang, thought up the idea of making the krathong into the shape of a lotus flower, as well as other shapes, and floating it downstream. The King was attracted by the idea and decreed it an annual event.

The Loy Krathong Festival reflects the intimate relations between Thai people and waterways on which they depend for their livelihood. The Loy Krathong song, which is perhaps the best-known Thai song among foreigners, will be sung and heard during the festival everywhere.

The Director-General of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD), Mr. Teerapong Sodasri, said that PRD would organize a fair to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival 2012. The three-day fair, “Joining Hands in Preserving Thai Culture,” will take place at the PRD Headquarters, Soi Areesamphan, Phahonyothin Road, in Bangkok, from 26 to 28 November.

It features concerts, a bazaar of local products from various parts of the country, with 150 booths, a film show, and a demonstration of making the krathong from natural materials, as well as a food fair.

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Sansanee Nakpong will preside over the opening ceremony at 04:00 p.m. on 26 November. One of the highlights during the three-day fair is a Nang Nopphmat beauty contest.

Everyone is invited to join this cultural event to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival at the PRD Headquarters in Bangkok from 26 to 28 November 2012.

Foreign Office, The Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister

[Lite Beer]

Pressure builds on organizer over Paris Hilton New Year beach party

Phuket Gazette –

Cherng Talay OrBorTor President Ma-ann Samram says he doesn't want the party on Surin Beach – but he will approve it if the organizers gain approval from local residents and businesses. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: Pressure is building on event organizer Sydictive Element to win over local authorities in order to gain approval for the three-day New Year Phuket beach party announced by Paris Hilton in Bangkok last month.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600468-pressure-builds-on-organizer-over-paris-hilton-new-year-beach-party/#entry5876109

[Lite Beer]

RT@RichardBarrow: 25 November: Today in Thailand it's Vajiravudh Day(วันวชิราวุธ). It Commemorates the passing of King Rama VI in 1925

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RT@RichardBarrow: Extra security in Thai Parliament today. MP's told not to bring any weapons (Pic @Yanee_Waikru) pic.twitter.com/Gm5RzwFG

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RT@newley: BBC video footage and story on recent protests in Thailand. youtube.com/watch?v=JsNT4y…

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RT@Nattha_ThaiPBS: The "no-confidence" debate is scheduled for two days on Mon-Tue 25-26 Nov, a vote will be on Wed 27 Nov.

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RT@RichardBarrow: Sunday: YWCA International Charity Bazaar at CentralWorld, #Bangkok, 10:30am-7pm. More than 280 booths with products from 41 countries

RT@RichardBarrow: Sunday: Open House at Goethe Institute, Sathon Tai Rd, #Bangkok, 11am-8pm. Celebrating 150 years of Thai-German diplomatic relations

RT@RichardBarrow: Sunday: Bike Festival at Makkasan ARL Station, #Bangkok, 10am-9pm. Activities & booths selling bicycles & accessories

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Three-day no-confidence debate starts Sunday, Parliament under heavy security during debate /MCOT

RT@Aim_NT: Pheu Thai MP asked the opposition to submit debate document (info) prior to scrutiny

RT@Aim_NT: House Speaker Somsak proposed the opposition submit the documents to a panel 20 minutes before each speaker starts.

RT@Aim_NT: Dems r avoiding submission of the document in advance as they fear leaking of the issues & the govt will be able to handle them: govt whip.

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RT@Aim_NT: Ministers to be scrutinised include DPM Chalerm, Defence Minister Sukampol and Dep Interior Minister Chatt: oppo whip reading the motion.

[Lite Beer]

Censure debate kicks off

BANGKOK: -- The censure debate against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and three Cabinet members started at 10:22 am Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600500-censure-debate-kicks-off/#entry5876425

[Lite Beer]

Sukampol accused of violating Defence Ministry Administration Act

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat was accused of breaching the Defence Ministry Administration Act during the censure debate Sunday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/600500-censure-debate-kicks-off/#entry5876477

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