Thailand Live Sunday 9 Dec 2012

[Lite Beer]

Thailand Live Sunday 2 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

with Lite Beer

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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[Lite Beer]

Fears of violence over charter

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP: New Pheu Thai plan aims to scrap independent agencies

Almost 70 per cent of people in Bangkok and its surrounding areas are concerned that the ruling politicians' push to write a new Constitution may lead to renewed chaos in the country, a poll has found.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603764-fears-of-violence-over-charter/

[Lite Beer]

2010 CRACKDOWN

Someone faraway pushed for murder charges, Sathit says

The Nation on Sunday

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition and Democrat Party leader, looks poised to roll a bowling ball while presiding over a charity bowling competition to raise funds for scholarships to be given to children of photographers on the political beat, at the Majo

BANGKOK: -- Democrat MP claims Tarit jumping to a specific person's orders; Abhisit ready to turn himself in

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....es-sathit-says/

[Lite Beer]

Egat denies it was behind blackouts

The Nation on Sunday

KOH SAMUI: The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) insists that it did not cause blackouts on Samui and Pha-ngan islands.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603769-egat-denies-it-was-behind-blackouts/

[Lite Beer]

Leadership Academy for Muslim Women

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Women in the South will get a major political boost on Tuesday when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presides over the national launch of a Leadership Academy for Muslim Women at Government House.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603770-leadership-academy-for-muslim-women/

[Lite Beer]

LIFESTYLE

Moments with His Majesty

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- A Nation photographer reflects on his years covering the King's public appearances

It is not lost on Charnnarong Porndilokrad how privileged he is. The Nation Multimedia Group cameraman was among the press photographers granted permission - and a high level of trust - to get relatively close to His Majesty the King during Wednesday's birthday celebrations.

To the tens of thousands of people who crowded the Royal Plaza in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, most wearing "Monday yellow" in honour of the day the King was born, His Majesty was visible only as a tiny figure on the distant balcony.

They were deliriously happy nonetheless, proud and excited just to be part of the yellow sea of admirers filling the King's gaze, sending him waves of best wishes. But you couldn't have blamed them for wishing they were Charnnarong. He was still a long way from the throne hall, but considerably closer than they were, and armed with a powerful telephoto lens.

And in the past he's been within easy reach of the King.

He and the other photographers were in place early on Wednesday, by 3 or 4am, each and every one of them feeling "extremely honoured" to be assigned easy views, he says.

"The ambience was magnificent, overwhelming, especially when everyone was chanting 'Long live the King'. I was taking pictures from one corner of the Sanam Suepa King Rama V Monument."

He's thankful to Canon for loaning him a Bt6-million ES200mm lens - the only one of its kind in Thailand. "It allowed me to take the best possible pictures of the royal family despite the security restrictions, the awkward angle and the shaky platform."

Charnnarong hoisted the long, hefty telephoto lens and waited for "pictures that would be the most appropriate to the King's prestige. When His Majesty came out onto the Sihabanchorn Balcony, my eye was glued to the camera as I watched his gestures for the best shots."

They go back a long way, the King and our cameraman.

"When I was around four, my mother took me to have an audience with His Majesty at the Emerald Buddha Temple. She told me, 'Today we will make merit with the King.' I was holding a Bt10 bill tightly in my palm, and His Majesty came along and took the note from me to make merit. I have never forgotten that moment."

Charnnarong has been The Nation's palace photographer since 2002. His first assignment was covering Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opening Chinese New Year festivities in Yaowaraj that year. "After that I was just waiting with all my heart for an opportunity to take pictures of His Majesty the King."

The chance came in 2005, when the King and Princess Sirindhorn opened the Suwanchart Swimming Pool at Kasetsart University's Animal Hospital. "I felt overwhelmed," Charnnarong says, "and then my photograph appeared on the front page of all the Nation Group newspapers."

The following year, covering the celebrations for His Majesty's 60th anniversary on the throne, he found himself in tears for the first time.

"I was well prepared. I rented a room at a hotel near the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. When His Majesty arrived, the crowd was cheering so loudly that I broke into tears and I couldn't seem to stop. But my finger continued snapping the shutter - even though my eyes were kind of blurred!"

Then came a breathtakingly personal moment in 2008 when the King travelled to Khao Tao in Prachuab Kiri Khan to see the long-tailed boat races. Charnnarong was delighted to be getting a picture of the monarch smiling, when suddenly His Majesty turned his own camera toward him. "I was astonished and went completely stiff. But I took His Majesty's picture and then paid him respect."

Last May 25, Charnnarong got "the closest I've ever been to His Majesty", at the Thung Makham Yong Field in Ayutthaya.

"I was on the same platform as the other photographers, but I decided to move to the other side of the crowd. I was fortunate - instead of being 300 metres from His Majesty, I was within arm's reach. No one else got the pictures I did. Everyone else's photos of His Majesty had me in them too! It felt like an unbelievably great honour."

The Thai Post Office recently asked to use a photograph that Charnnarong took of His Majesty inaugurating projects at Royal Irrigation Department headquarters in Nonthaburi. It will be replicated on a postage stamp.

"Through such great moments in life, for an ordinary person like me, I've learned a great deal," Charnnarong says. For one thing, he emphasises, "All the money that people contribute to His Majesty is always returned to the people, especially those in need.

"From the bottom of my heart I tell you honestly that I used to wish I'd been born earlier so I could have served His Majesty when he was younger. Now, despite his ageing, I'm just determined to take the best possible pictures of His Majesty so that I can present them to the Thai people, so they can better appreciate the King's love and kindness. Long live the King!"

CAMERA CREW

The Nation dispatched most of its photographers to abet Charnnarong's coverage of Wednesday's events. Here, some of the others share their impressions.

Supakrit Khumkun: "This time is the closest I've ever been taking His Majesty's photo. I was on the lawn outside the throne hall and, even from there, the chanting of 'Long live the King' was very loud.

"I'm always proud of my shots of the King, but I wish he'd smile more often. There is nothing better than seeing His Majesty happy."

Anant Chantarasoot was assigned to capture the crowd and the ambience. He got a great shot of children waiting to give the King their best wishes. "Kids might not fully understand what's going on, but I could see the determination in their eyes, and they cheered even louder than a lot of adults."

Pramote Putthaisong was enjoying his second chance to photograph His Majesty on the Srihabanchorn Balcony - the first time was in 1999. "I don't know how to describe my feelings - I'm very proud. It's a great honour for my family and I. I have every picture I took framed on the wall at home."

Prasert Thepsri says hearing the people's cheers along the route from Siriraj Hospital to the throne hall was wonderful. "I got my best picture of the King about eight years ago when he turned to look at the photographers and smiled."

Nanthasit Nitmetha, chief of Nation Multimedia photography, is the guy who got that amazing photo of the King advising Princess Sirindhorn about getting her own snapshots from the balcony during the accession anniversary six years ago. "The opportunity to serve His Majesty and the monarchy on many important occasions is the greatest reward of my life."

-- The Nation 2012-12-09

[Lite Beer]

Teachers found dead

The Nation on Sunday

Two English teachers, one American and the other Briton, were found dead sitting side-by-side in a room in Pathum Thani. Meanwhile, a British man jumped to his death in Pattaya.

The American was identified as Jonathan Louis, 40, and the Briton identified as Charlie Milsom, 35.

Police did not find any wounds on them or any traces of fighting in the room. They found an empty medicine bottle and drug packet with the name "Charlie Milsom" from a government-run drug rehabilitation centre in the room. The bodies have been sent to forensic science institute at Thammasat University Hospital for autopsy.

In Pattaya, police said Durell Timothy Bertram, 63, jumped to his death from the ninth floor of his condominium. Police found a letter believed to be written by him before he jumped. There was no trace of fighting or theft of his belongings in his room. Police are set to check the letter. His body is at Bang Lamung Hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-12-09

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Bomb, drug arrests

The Nation on Sunday

PATTANI: -- Insurgents used a roadside bomb to attack soldiers from a special combat unit while they travelled on two armoured pick-ups to their unit in Pattani's Panare district late on Friday night. No one was injured, but one of the pick-ups was damaged.

In related news, soldiers yesterday seized 50 kilograms of kratom leaves in Khok Pho district in the same province and arrested two men.

Also, a man was arrested early yesterday morning for possessing 30 kg of kratom leaves in Pattani's Nong Chik district.

On Friday, a man was charged after officials found 100kg of kratom water in Pattani's Yaring district.

-- The Nation 2012-12-09

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Help, training urged for small firms

Thammarat Kitchalong

BANGKOK: -- The Nation on Sunday December 9, 2012 1:00 am

More than 2,000 small businesses will be affected by the minimum wage hike to Bt300 a day, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap has warned.

Meanwhile, a senior Bank of Thailand official urged the government to develop workers' skills to keep productivity in line with GDP growth, and adopt new tax measures and expand markets to aid businesses.

Phadermchai said yesterday the wage hike would not be delayed, but the government would implement measures to aid businesses.

Citing an initial report that 2,193 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) nationwide (excluding Bangkok) employing 49,316 workers would be affected, he said the hardest-hit would be wholesale-retail businesses, car and auto-parts firms, general product manufacturers, construction firms and food producers.

The report recommended a focus on financial and tax moves, marketing and development of labour skills.

"In a week, the ministry will conclude its findings to adjust the planned 16 aid measures, in addition to 11 already-implemented steps, for submission to a December 14 meeting of a committee for remedial measures chaired by Deputy PM and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong," he said.

Labour permanent secretary Somkiat Chayasriwong said that following implementation of the Bt300 wage hike in seven provinces in April, the unemployment rate was recorded at 0.8 per cent in June and 0.7 per cent in December. The hike led to an increase in labour productivity growth from 2-3 per cent to 8.7 per cent, which was the highest in 10 years, he said. Economic expansion rose by 4.2 per cent in July and the inflation rate was low at 2.9 per cent in August.

He said he would propose setting up entrepreneur promotion centres in 70 provinces. Each would have a provincial governor as president and a committee comprising related officials.

They would gather entrepreneurs' complaints and aid them, and report to the ministry every 15 days.

He said the committee had cut three "irrelevant" moves from the 16 measures for next year: the Thai Khem Kaeng loan-payment period extension; off-system debt relief for employees; and the value-added tax reduction. Related agencies were discussing whether to implement eight measures, while the remaining five would be considered soon.

The director of the Bank of Thailand's Statistics Office, Somsajee Siksamat, said the wage hike would be a major shock to the economy, but necessary. She said the Thai economy had suppressed wages to cut costs for export goods to compete with rivals, citing as an example the fact that in 2011 the minimum wage was Bt176 per day when the appropriate rate would have been Bt211.

She said the hike would affect manpower-intense businesses such as plastic products, textiles, electric parts, metal and chemical products, clothing, and cars and auto parts. The survival of these businesses depended on their wage structure and profits, as well as adjustment in manufacturing and cost-cutting methods, she said.

Assistance measures should be aimed to boost labour productivity growth from 4 per cent to at least 8 per cent and product-manufacturing efficiency to at least 2.5 per cent, to bring them in line with GDP growth, she said. (The Bank of Thailand predicts GDP growth of 5.7 per cent this year and 4.6 per cent next year.)

The government should implement tax measures to lessen the business sector's tax burden by half, as well as other cost-cutting and market-expanding measures, she urged. Developing labour skills was also a key factor for GDP growth.

Somsajee urged the government to aid all affected business, saying it should work with the private sector in studying each business' cost and profit to provide appropriate aid, while adjusting the wage structure to meet labour productivity goals while maintaining competitiveness.

She said Thailand still didn't sufficiently promote skill training or encourage the business sector to use modern technologies in manufacturing.

-- The Nation 2012-12-09

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SUSTAINABILITY

Hi-Q food campaigns for good eating habits

ACHARA DEBOONME

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Maker of Roza sauce joins the Education Ministry in promoting health, hygiene programme in rural schools.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603771-hi-q-food-campaigns-for-good-eating-habits/

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EDITORIAL

We need to take a stand against corruption

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai society will deteriorate unless stronger individual action is taken

It is a shame that while Thailand is organising a campaign against corruption, the latest survey result by Transparency International showed the country's ranking has slipped.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603772-we-need-to-take-a-stand-against-corruption/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Thick fog in Chiang Mai this morning as temperatures drop overnight (Pic @flukekupz) pic.twitter.com/OdDoozhH

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RT@RichardBarrow: Reports from people on Twitter that Chiang Mai temperatures are as low as 16-18C. (Pic @benznaa) pic.twitter.com/5yLVwAsE

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RT@RichardBarrow: Long Boat Racing on the Chao Phraya River at Rama VIII Bridge (Thonburi side) today & tomorrow #Bangkok

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RT@RichardBarrow: Photos by HM the King at Paragon until Tuesday & then photos by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at BAAC until 3 Feb

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Phuket Opinion: Wake up and shed the shirts

Phuket Gazette -

Phuket is a staunchly 'No Shirt' island. Image: Gazette Graphics

PHUKET: Island residents and expats alike breathed a collective sigh of relief late last month when a dreaded showdown between the Pitak Siam (“Defenders of Siam”), the latest incarnation of the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and government security forces fizzled out on the streets of Bangkok due to lack of popular support and other factors.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603796-phuket-opinion-wake-up-and-shed-the-shirts/

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Russian man drugged and robbed by transsexual and Russian accomplice

PATTAYA:--At 11am on Saturday Sattahip police were called to a house in Koonsuk Village in Ban Saray following a call that a Russian man had been found unconscious on his bed by a friend, who told police she suspected something was wrong when she saw the man’s car was missing.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603807-russian-man-drugged-and-robbed-by-russian-women-and-transsexual-accomplice/

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Tourists flocking to Chiang Mai-- particularly up Doi Inthanon-- to experience cool weather & frost, with low temperature of 1° Celsius /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: Flower Festival continues at Rama 9 Park (สวนหลวง ร.9) until 10 December. Fireworks on Monday night for Constitution Day /via @joesbkk

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Englishman’s drunk son wrecks car in Pattaya

Pattaya: Former police Officer’s home ram raided by drunk driver.

At five in the morning on Sunday, a former Policemen was woken up from a deep sleep by the sound of crashing steel. Looking out from his Banglamung Home, he saw that a Black Toyota Altis was now firmly embedded in his steel gate, which was now removed from its mountings and lying in his drive. Not knowing who the assailant was, he quickly called the Police who rushed to the scene.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603826-englishmans-drunk-son-wrecks-car-in-pattaya/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Today is Anti-Corruption Day. Many students expected to rally in front of the BACC at 3pm (across from MBK in #Bangkok)

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Phuket motorbike taxis hit over fares

Phuket Gazette -

KEEP THE CHANGE: Chumpol Aiabsakul, who represents one enclave of motorbike taxi drivers in Patong, called on the Phuket authorities to use the law to ‘get rid of’ drivers who cheat tourists. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

NOT ALL BAD GUYS: Hundreds pf motorbike taxi drivers in Patong ride to promote road safety. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: A motorbike taxi representative from Patong has railed against his fellow drivers, calling for “more ethical” behavior and cessation of the practice of gouging tourists for short journeys in the resort town.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603828-phuket-motorbike-taxis-hit-over-fares/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Suan Dusit Poll: Politics 'most corrupt' occupation in Thailand (Bangkok Post)

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Phuket expat sailor Stafford Steer dies from cancer

Phuket Gazette -

Not a man to do things by halves, Stafford Steer (left) talks with Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura in 2005 about importing the right quality of sand for inland beach volleyball courts in Phuket that would later be used as training courts for FIVB world champions. Photo Gazette file

PHUKET: As sailors raced in the final day of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta that concluded yesterday, one of Phuket’s longest-staying expats and best-known personalities in the local yachting community, Stafford Steer from Australia, died after a brief battle with cancer.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/603857-phuket-expat-sailor-stafford-steer-dies-from-cancer/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Today & tomorrow, 9-10 Dec, Phra Athit Rd will be turned into a walking street from 4pm-10pm. Includes a market & cultural shows #Bangkok

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Chiang Mai's disaster prevention&mitigation office to propose Chom Thong, Omkoi, Fang districts disaster areas; 30,000 households affected /MCOT

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Govt's working committee considering charter amendment process expected to submit its report on Dec 17: Pheu Thai spokesman /MCOT

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Cold spell hits Thailand's North

CHIANG RAI, Dec 9--- Hundreds of thousands of northern residents have been affected by the cold weather prevailing over the region while Chiang Mai’s disaster prevention office planned to ask the governor to declare disaster zones in three districts.

In the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, some 260,000 residents so far have been suffering from the current cold weather, particularly those living in remote mountainous areas.

Responding to the ongoing situation, Governor Pongsak Wangsamer and relevant officials on Sunday visited and distributed blankets to affected residents in 16 villages in the provincial seat.

In the neighbouring province of Chiang Mai, the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office planned to propose to the governor to declare cold spell disaster areas in three districts-- Chom Thong, Omkoi and Fang.

Currently, around 30,000 households have suffered from the weather as the temperature has been lower than 15 degrees Celsius for three days.

Initially, local officials gave 700 blankets to the affected residents.

However, the warm clothing and blankets remain inadequate for the need. Residents in 25 districts, in particular those living in high mountainous areas and earning low income, still need more than 300,000 pieces of warm clothing and blankets. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-09

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Anti-graft agency NACC to probe rice pledging corruption allegations as Pheu Thai will ask Constitution Court to rule on NACC’s jurisdiction /MCOT