Thailand Live Friday 7 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 6 Dec 2012

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

The British Embassy joins forces with Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism to tackle tourist scams

BANGKOK:-- Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently launched a television campaign to encourage Thais to be good hosts to foreign tourists.

Full story:

SAMUI

Blackout forces business owners to get creative

Wannapa Khaopa,

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- Tourists, residents and businesses on Koh Samui have had to go into power-saving mode as the blackout on the island crept into its third day yesterday.

Full story:

BURNING ISSUE

Govt needs to sell its plan on charter amendments

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has no choice but to push for charter change come rain or shine, and the legislation's passage will hinge on how well the Pheu Thai Party can reason with its opponents.

Full story:

PATERNITY LEAVE

Minister urges 15-day leave for new dads

THAMMARAT KITCHALONG

THE NATION

Phadermchai calls on employers to cooperate and help boost family ties

BANGKOK: -- From this month onwards, men will be allowed to take 15 days off to help take care of their newborns, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap said as he called on businesses across the nation to cooperate.

Full story:

CONSTITUTION REVIEW

40 senators to propose 2 charter changes

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The so-called Group of 40 Senators announced yesterday that it supported the amendment of individual articles of the existing Constitution, rather than writing an entirely new charter, to avoid exacerbating social rifts.

Full story:

AUTOMOBILE

Motor Expo may drive away with 70,000 orders

Kanittha Pantong

The Nation December

First 7 days have already seen a sales record of over 30,000 vehicles

BANGKOK: -- The annual Thailand International Motor Expo is considered a major auto sales event that takes place at the year-end.

Full story:

EDITORIAL

Fear has caused lost opportunities for Thailand

The Nation

Thai politicians and officials have neglected our ties with Taiwan, and the great potential, simply because they don't want to offend China

Full story:

OVERDRIVE

A rare moment of joy and unity

Thanong Khanthong

BANGKOK: -- The celebration of His Majesty the King's 85th birthday on Wednesday brought joy and tears to hundreds of thousands of Thais, who thronged the Royal Plaza to pledge allegiance and wish a happy birthday to the beloved monarch. Thais had been anxiously waiting for this auspicious occasion to have firsthand experience of the baramee (reserve power) of the ariya (higher being) King.

The Ninth Reign is that of an ariya king, by virtue of his perseverance baramee and generosity baramee. Perseverance and generosity are two of the 10 baramees of one who will finally become a Buddha. The King cited Phra Maha Janaka to expound the virtue of perseverance. Even the angels pay homage to those who practice perseverance. Phra Maha Janaka was one of the 10 lives of the Buddha before he finally achieved Buddhahood.

By devoting his entire life to the welfare of his people and stability of his Kingdom, and protecting Buddhism, the King practices the virtue of generosity. Phra Vessantara was the last of the great 10 lives of the Buddha. Through generosity, one practices sila - detachment from delusions, hatred and ignorance. This is a prerequisite for attaining the highest wisdom of Buddhahood.

Many Thais arrived one or two days earlier to make sure that they got space close to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, where the King would make a rare appearance at the balcony to greet his people. They brought food and drink for family picnics. Millions of Thais who could not make it to the Royal Plaza were glued to their TVs to watch the grand ceremony that saw the heads of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and the Royal Guard, pledge allegiance to His Majesty.

The Royal Plaza, Rachadamnoen Avenue and surrounding areas turned into a sea of yellow shirts and Thai flags. The amazing scene was spectacular and unprecedented in recent memory.

It was unanimously agreed that yellow - the colour of the King, who was born on a Monday - should be the colour of the day. The anti-royalists, symbolised by their red shirts, volunteered to remain quiet and refrain from political rhetoric.

The Thai public cheered along the route that His Majesty and the royal entourage took from Siriraj Hospital to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. They shouted: "Song Phra Charoen (Long live the King)."

When the King appeared at the balcony, the clock almost stopped ticking. His arrival was sudden, as if he had floated to the scene on the wind. The atmosphere seemed like it was not of this world. His baramee brought immense joy to the hearts of Thais. Many, including me, could not hold back their tears. We were experiencing firsthand the perfect King with metta (compassion). His Majesty reached out to his people with a brief statement. He called for unity: "If Thais truly hold these values in their hearts, they can be assured that the country will be safe and will survive, regardless of what situation the country is in. Dharma [teaching] will protect you from all harm," he said.

The King graciously offered his sage advice for all Thais to live in harmony while expressing gratitude for their unwavering faithfulness. "The wishes and oaths of allegiance that you have taken are so evident. I thank you and all Thais who have come here en masse. The compassion, goodwill and unity you have demonstrated today makes me happy. You have greatly boosted my spirits," the King said before the huge gathering of loyal subjects at the Royal Plaza.

Ironically, 10 days earlier at the Royal Plaza, the police used brute force to disperse an anti-government gathering led by General Boonlert Kaewprasit. Thai politics has become unstable and violent since 2006. The anti-royalists are now planning to rewrite the Constitution to undermine the monarchy. Internally, there is always a threat of a civil war. Externally, superpower rivalry has also posed a threat to Thailand's security as the US and China face off for military predominace in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this way of the world, His Majesty the King has steered Thailand through troubled waters for more than 60 years, by strengthening unity to achieve stability. The King embodies the trinity of Thailand's stability - nationhood, Buddhism and monarchy. In the way of the Dhamma, the King aspires for Buddhahood. Many Thais believe that the King is a bhodisattva, an enlightened being who will be born a Buddha.

In 1957, or BE 2500, at the mid-point of the Buddhist Era, there were fears that Buddhism and Buddhist society would suffer a decline, as the Buddha had prophesied that Buddhism would last only 5,000 years before the next cycle came. The King and Her Majesty the Queen took part in the revamp of the Tripitaka in Rangoon, Burma. The King also presided over the construction of Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom as a site to pay homage to the Lord Buddha. In so doing, the King laid the groundwork for Buddhism to continue to prosper in Suvarnabhumi and become a chatra, or royal, white, tiered umbrella for the Thai people.

All human beings have flaws. But His Majesty the King is the most perfect human being of all - both in the way of the world and in the way of the Dhamma. It is because of these attributes that Thais feel immense joy in their hearts upon seeing him - an emotion that foreigners find hard to fathom.

-- The Nation 2012-12-07

CORRUPTION

Kingdom falls on graft index

The Nation

Sumon Sutawiriyawat, chair of the Senate anti-corruption committee, seated centre, poses with young anti-graft activists to promote an online network against corruption ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day on Sunday.

Full story:

Thailand ranked 8th most dangerous country, top in SE Asia

The Nation

BANGKOK: Thailand has been ranked No 8 among countries most prone to terrorist attacks mainly due to insurgency in the deep South.

Full story:

Police officer injured in Bangkok pile-up

ITTHIPOL IAMCHEUY

THE NATION

A Bangkok police officer was seriously injured in an eight-vehicle pile-up on the inbound Din Daeng elevated road yesterday morning.

Full story:

Push to increase South teachers' danger money

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry has proposed that danger money paid to teachers in the deep South be increased by Bt1,000.

Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana explained that if this proposal goes through, then teachers should get about Bt3,500 per month in danger money.

Phongthep was speaking at a meeting in Pattani province with 1,500 educational personnel representing teachers' federations and associations. The minister and his deputy, Sermsak Pongpanich, travelled to the province yesterday to listen to a briefing on the violence in the region. Before the meeting, Phongthep attended the funeral of Chatsuda Ninsuwan, a teacher at a school in Narathiwat's Joh I Rong district, who was gunned down on Monday.

Before Chatsuda's killing, Nanthana Kaewchan, 51, director of a school in Pattani's Nong Chik district, was shot dead just 100 metres from her school. Following the death of Nanthana, teachers' associations decided to suspend classes at about 362 schools to protest against the government's failure in handling the situation in the South.

Phongthep and his deputy are in the South after teachers demanded that they witness the reality for themselves. The minister said that security officials in the South needed to frequently review their plans so they can provide better safety for teachers.

Also at a meeting yesterday, the teachers demanded that their colleagues whose request to be moved out of the region had been rejected be allowed to re-apply and that the ministry move Buddhist teachers out of dangerous areas.

Meanwhile, National Security Council secretary-general Lt-General Paradorn Pattanathabutr said PM Yingluck Shinawatra would visit the South within this month.

-- The Nation 2012-12-07

TOURISM

Koh Samui development in spotlight after blackout

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT,

SUWANEE BANDIDSAK

THE NATION

KOH SAMUI: -- Following the latest power failure on Samui, tourism operators yesterday demanded the development of a resilient infrastructure framework that will maintain the resort island's fame as a world-class visitor destination.

Full story:

AFP: Nepalese ex-prince arrested again in Thailand

Full story:

RT @RichardBarrow: Big Mountain Music Festival this weekend at Bonanza Khao Yai Resort. Tickets cost 1,800B from ThaiTicketMajor

Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,341.14, up 1.26 points /MCOT

Power supply to Samui Pha-ngan islands resumed at full capacity

The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- The Provincial Electricity Authority resumed power supply to Samui and Pha-ngan islands at 100 per cent capacity early Friday.

The power supply to the two tourist destination islands were resumed at full capacity at 4:28 am, the PEA announced.

-- The Nation 2012-12-07

DSI sends letters calling ex-PM Abhisit, ex-DPM Suthep to acknowlege charges on Wed in case of death of taxi driver Phan Khamkong in 2010 unrest /MCOT

Presumed insurgents rob Pattani teacher protection volunteers in Sai Buri district, steal five rifles--one M16, four AK47 /MCOT

Power supply resumes normal service on Samui, Pha-ngan islands: PEA

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 7 -- The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has repaired its underground power cable and the electricity supply has resumed normal service on Samui and Pha-ngan islands since early Friday morning.

Full story:

Planters call for government intervention in plunging palm oil price

CHUMPHON, Dec 7 – Oil palm planters in Thailand’s southern provinces have threatened to protest if the government fails to help boost the price of palm oil, which has dropped to Bt2.90 per kg, its lowest in seven years.

Planters in Chumphon, Surat Thani and Krabi are upset at the declining price for palm oil, and have called on the government to buy their produce at not less than Bt4.50 per kg.

Chumphon Oil Palm Planters Association president Sanya Pansevi said the association urges the government to intervene through the Agriculture Institute to maintain the price of palm oil and create a palm oil stocking system to enhance the private sector’s existing system.

The sector is also urgently promoting the use of B5 and B7 biodiesel which will consequently boost palm oil consumption. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-07

Inebriate Russian tourists attacked and robbed on Pattaya Beach

Full story:

Phuket tsunami film 'The Impossible' drawing in crowds, but no criticism

Phuket Gazette

Although initially thought by some as insensitive, the tsunami film 'The Impossible' has been bringing in crowds at cinemas all over Phuket. Photo: Official trailer image/Summit Entertainment

PHUKET: -- Although initially thought by some as insensitive, The Impossible, which recounts a Spanish family's survival and struggle to be reunited in the wake of the devastating tsunami in 2004, is drawing crowds, but not criticism in Phuket.

Full story:

SAMUI

Power restored on Thai resort islands after three-day blackout

The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- Power returned to the Thai resort islands of Samuiand Phangan early Friday after a three-day blackout prompted thousands of peak-season tourists to leave.

Full story:

Thai Immigration Now Accepts Applications For Permanent Residency

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....nent-residency/

RT @USEmbassyBKK: #VisitUSA: More than one-third of the world's commercial supply of pineapples comes from Hawaii.

Northern region feels cold spell

CHIANG MAI, Dec 7 -- Thailand's northern region has felt more pinch of cold spell as the temperature is forecast to drop 2-4 degree Celcius during the next 4-5 days.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603398-northern-region-feels-cold-spell/

Teacher shot by suspected insurgent in stable condition

NARATHIWAT, Dec 7 – A teacher shot on Tuesday in the violence-plagued province of Narathiwat is now in stable condition.

The victim, Theerapol Chusongsaeng, was visited today by Safie Jelor, chairman of the Narathiwat Islamic Committee and a group of teachers from his school, Baan Borkoh School.

The school teacher is being treated at Sungai Kolok Hospital after being shot while riding his motorcycle home on Tuesday evening.

The shooting was the third attack on teachers in this province in less than two weeks. Two female teachers were killed in two separate incidents.

About half of the 369 schools in three primary education zones in at-risk and remote areas in Narathiwat remained closed today in accordance with the resolution of the Narathiwat Teachers Federation. All schools are due to reopen on Tuesday.

Teachers from government operated primary schools in Narathiwat yesterday submitted a five-point list with five demands to Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana who was visiting the province.

The demand, agreed in a Confederation of Narathiwat Teachers meeting, mainly concerned their safety.

They asked the Education Ministry to reconsider requests by educators to transfer Thai Buddhist teachers out of at-risk areas for their personal safety, to speed reinforcement of security protection for teachers, and to provide special protection to teachers on request. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-07