Thailand Live Thursday 29 Nov 2012

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Number of rhinos poached in S. Africa this year jumps to 588

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Trial of Thai 'Red Shirt' leaders postponed

BANGKOK, Nov 29, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai court on Thursday postponed the start of the terrorism trial of 24 leaders of "Red Shirt" protests that rocked Bangkok in 2010 until next month because one of the defendants was ill.

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Girl, 9, confirmed dead in Phuket tour van crash

Phuket Gazette

Phuket rescue workers rush to cut the driver free from the pickup truck wreck. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

Although the van was painted in white and featured the Pegas Touristik company logo, the tour company has denied any responsibility for the accident. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket police have named the schoolgirl who died in the tour van crash this morning as Kulnaree Lattuada Lancini, 9 years old, a student at British International School (BIS).

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Watchdog group seeks removal of PM, cabinet members

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Nov 29 – The National Anti-Corruption Network (NACN) today launched a fresh attempt to remove Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and prominent cabinet members from the country’s administration for allegedly facilitating irregularities in the rice pledging scheme.

Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Network (NACN), petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), charging widespread corruption in the implementation of the highly-criticised scheme.

Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom were included in the removal list.

Mr Mongkolkit said the NACN has sufficient evidence that implicated politicians’ associates in the irregularities. He asked the NACC to investigate transparency in the rice pledging scheme and the unusual monetary movement of senior civil servants involved in the scheme.

He also asked the graft-busting agency to forward the petition to the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Political Position Holders and the Senate for consideration whether there are grounds to launch an impeachment against the premier and her two key ministers. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-29

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Southern school torched; tension escalates

By Digital Media

PATTANI, Nov 29 – Investigative and forensic police today inspected a school in this southern province after it was burned late Wednesday night.

The authorities said the two-storey Bang Maruad School classroom building in Panare district was gutted by the fire which destroyed educational equipment, including 80 government-supplied tablet computers.

Police have not determined whether the fire was due to a short circuit or was an arson.

School principal Muhammad Jehloh said there was once a short circuit at the 32-year-old building, adding that the fire broke out at half past midnight while a group of students was studying the Koran.

The incident occurred as more than 300 state-run schools in Pattani remain close following the murder of a school principal last week. The Confederation of Teachers in Southern Region has yet to decide when teachers will resume teaching. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-29

[Lite Beer]

SOUTH

Fire severely damages Pattani school

Photo : Charoon Thongnual

PATTANI: -- Fire broke out a Pattani school early Thursday morning, completely destroying a two-storey building housing the director's office, computer rooms and 11 classrooms.

Ten students and teachers were camping in the building opposite when fire broke out at about 1am at Bangmaruet School in Panare district but no one was injured.

Police did not rule out possibility that the blaze was caused by an electrical fault, as it reportedly started in a computer room on the second floor and there was no sign of forced break-in.

Initial investigation showed that 20 computers, 10 notebooks and 50 new laptops as well as chairs and tables kept in the building were totally destroyed.

This marks the third time that fire has struck this school. Two earlier fires partly destroyed the school buildings.

-- The Nation 2012-11-29

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Phuket's postponed 'Andaman World Experience' raises concerns

Phuket Gazette

An optimistic Mr Chanchai of the TAT Phuket Office is just waiting for the Minister of the Prime Minter’s Office to come up with the date in December. Photo: Gazette file

With time quickly running out to organize the Andaman World Experience in Phuket, Minister Sansanee Nakpong suggested combining it with the Patong Carnival. Photo: Thaigov.co.th

PHUKET: -- Uncertainty clouds the announcement of a firm date for the Andaman World Experience, postponed from November 9, as officials scramble to identify dates when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will be available to attend.

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3 Iranians arrested at drug production facility in East Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- Three Iranians were arrested by Police on Thursday Morning accused of running a drug production facility in East Pattaya.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/601560-meth-lab-raided-and-3-iranians-held-at-production-facility-in-east-pattaya/

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SET index closed at 1309.57, up 9.63; Bt/USD30.57; GBP48.84; AUD31.87; EUR39.54; CAD30.68; HKD3.94; SGD24.89; JPY37.01

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RT @RichardBarrow: GoPro 3 spotted at Thailand Photo Fair at BITEC Bang Na. Expected to go on sale in Thailand in mid-December

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Osotspa clan member alleges B293mn land swindle off Phuket

Phuket Gazette

Saowanee Osathanugrah (right) of the famous Thai “Osotspa” family renowned for its M-150 and Shark energy drinks, files her complaint with Phang Nga Police over the alleged land swindle by her estranged husband. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Saowanee Osathanugrah, a member of the famous Thai “Osotspa” family, has filed a complaint against her husband for allegedly trying to swindle her out of land on Koh Yao Yai, an island off Phuket, valued at 293 million baht.

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Phuket Airport bus forced off the road by repairs

Phuket Gazette

One of the two Airport Bus vehicles has been forced off the road for repairs. Photo: Steven Layne

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Thailand Live Friday 30 Nov 2012