Thailand Live Sunday 16 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]

Crane accident leaves Rama III area without power

Monthien Inthaket,

Supachai Phetchthewee

The Nation on Sunday

This crane in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Residents in Bangkok's Rama III area suffered a blackout from yesterday morning until the evening after a crane became entangled in power lines and pulled down 32 electricity poles, causing damage to four cars and a townhouse and injuring six people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605342-crane-accident-leaves-rama-i-i-i-area-without-power/

[Lite Beer]

Plan for referendum before Songkran may go to Cabinet

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- A national referendum on the government's plan to amend the Constitution is expected to take place between March 12 and April 12 next year if Cabinet approves the idea on Tuesday, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605343-plan-for-referendum-before-songkran-may-go-to-cabinet/

[Lite Beer]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Charter amendment 'not for one man'

Chaniakarn Phumhiran,

Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation on Sunday

Varathep

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn is tasked with handling the controversial referendum on amending the Constitution before the third and final reading in Parliament on rewriting the charter. He spoke to The Nation on Sunday on the government's stance and insisted the move wasn't all for ousted and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa....n/

[Lite Beer]

Animal activists seek action against Sattahip dog killer

The Nation on Sunday

CHON BURI: -- Animal rights advocates rallied outside a house in Sattahip in Chon Buri yesterday afternoon belonging to a German who stabbed a two-year-old Golden Retriever to death last month after the dog attacked his Rottweiler. The man has sought Bt300,000 in compensation from owners of the retriever for being bitten by the dog he killed.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605346-animal-activists-seek-action-against-sattahip-dog-killer/

[Lite Beer]

Two bridges to connect Narathiwat with Malaysia

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to build two cross-border bridges linking the neighbouring country with Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok districts of violence-plagued Narathiwat province to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605347-two-bridges-to-connect-narathiwat-with-malaysia/

[Lite Beer]

Temporary health workers to become permanent in January

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Two ministerial regulations upgrading 117,000 non-medical temporary employees nationwide to permanent-employee status are complete and should take effect in January, Deputy Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said yesterday.

The ministerial regulations were issued as a New Year gift to the employees.

Visiting Nan's Sung Men Hospital for a policy briefing with health personnel yesterday, Cholnan said the two regulations were being considered by the Finance Ministry before being proposed to the public health minister and permanent secretary for approval. The first regulation establishes six committees to administer criteria for permanent employees' work, qualifications, selection, payment, welfare, work assessment and criteria for resignation during the contract period. The second regulation amends funding criteria.

Deputy Public Health permanent secretary Supan Srithamma said permanent-employee status meant better career security, as the salary would be 1.2 times higher than that of a civil servant, while welfare benefits would be equivalent to those of civil servants including provident fund, study leave, salary-hike assessment, bonus, paid leave, travel allowance and meeting allowance.

-- The Nation 2012-12-16

[Lite Beer]

Cops dealt drugs from police pick-up: Chalerm

Supachai Petchthewee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and National Police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew held a press conference on Saturday to announce the arrest of police officers in Nan province accused of dealing methamphetamine after being caught with 1 million yaba tablets in a police pick-up truck.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605348-cops-dealt-drugs-from-police-pick-up-chalerm/

[Lite Beer]

37% object to broadcast by Thaksin: poll

The Nation on Sunday

About 37 per cent of people view the appearance of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on the state-run NBT channel as inappropriate, a poll by National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) revealed yesterday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605349-37-object-to-broadcast-by-thaksin-poll/

[Lite Beer]

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Tycoon with the 'Midas' touch

Jintana Panyaarvudh

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Former legal adviser to Thaksin Shinawatra, Wichai Thongtang makes another killing by winning the rights for the English Premier League

Veteran investor Wichai Thongtang was back in the headlines recently when his newest business, a broadcasting company, beat out the big boys in the Thai cable and satellite stakes to win the broadcast rights for the most watched football league in the world, paying Bt10 billion, the second-most expensive license fee in the world.

Last month, Cable Thai Holding (CTH), of which Wichai is the chairman and major shareholder, acquired the rights to broadcast the English Premier League in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos over the next three seasons.

In another first, Wichai made his debut on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Thailand 40 Richest" ranking in August. Ranked the 20th richest, the tycoon has an estimated net worth of US$670 million (Bt20.5 billion), a fortune he's amassed through real estate and medical tourism, and which received a healthy boost from the merger of his Phyathai Hospital Group with Bangkok Dusit Medical in 2011.

But despite his diverse business interests, the 65-year-old tycoon does not regard himself as an expert in acquisitions.

"I'm an investor who invests in businesses that have a good future and can be value added," he says.

During his career as a lawyer and legal consultant, Wichai regularly attended meetings with his clients' management teams, absorbing the skills he would one day apply to his own businesses. While he credits these experiences for helping him to build his own success, he acknowledges that his personal drive to learn about globalisation and the courage to make decisions have also played major roles.

"I wasn't born to a wealthy family so I know what it's like to struggle. That made me determined and ready to face life's obstacles. I developed what I call a gut feeling," he says. "I've also leaned to be cautious and to analyse all aspects before acting."

Before choosing a business in which to invest, Wichai looks carefully at its fundamentals, analyses the financial problems, studies the management abilities of it executives and operational personnel and considers whether or not it has a good future.

"Managing risk or minimising risk is also a main factor," he says.

His preferred business model is consolidation.

"I like the term 'consolidate Thailand'. I personally think there are many weak businesses in the country while the competition both worldwide and in the region is rising," he says.

He says he wants to see both small and large enterprises develop themselves to become more competitive on the national stage. Consolidation is a solution that will help strengthen their businesses and give them better bargaining power, he says. Mergers are also welcomed by the market, and Wichai would like to see consolidation becoming a role model for other Thais in doing business.

Yet for all the respect he has earned in the business world, Wichai still finds himself having to answer accusations that his success can be credited to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, for whom he acted as legal adviser in the 2001 assets concealment case against the fugitive ex premier.

"They completely misunderstand the situation. I try to explain that all the time," he says.

Wichai patiently explains, yet again, that he had started his business career before he even met the former prime minister, adding that he first became involved in the business world while working as a lawyer for a financial company in 1978. At that time, he claims, he was dealing with many cases related to stocks -possibly the most in Thailand.

After that, he started his own business dealing in the stock market and property. From 1988, he was earning major profits from his property business and 10 years later decided to divert his interests to Thailand's medical services. In 1999, he acquired shares in Sikarin hospital and became the major shareholder. A year later, he invested in Paolo Memorial Phaholyothin hospital.

Wichai, who is a close friend of Thaksin's brother-in-law and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, became Thaksin's lawyer in 2001 at the request of Somchai. He retired as a lawyer after the case to focus on his business but still acts as a legal adviser to his subordinates and other companies.

"Now I'm confident that most people know the truth and understand me better. I insist I have never been Thaksin's nominee nor have I been a nominee for any member of the Shinawatra family," he says.

The former lawyer adds he hasn't talked or met with Thaksin since the case but admits he's unlikely to be believed as he remains friends with the ex-premier's brother-in- law.

"I freely admit that I still keep in touch in Somchai. You can resign from a prime ministerial or other post but you will never be able to quit as a friend. It's not fair for us to stop being friends. Somchai and I have been close friends for 46 years," he says.

Asked if Thaksin might want to ask how it is that Wichai is richer than his former client - Thaksin Shinawatra and family are ranked 23rd on the Forbes list - the tycoon laughs. "I won't answer that. Anyway, I don't think Thaksin would ask."

Wichai is currently keeping an eye on his new nursing faculty at a private university, which is designing a curriculum for nursing students.

He would, he says, have preferred to run a medical university but Thailand's regulations for that kind of business are far too difficult even for an enterprising businessman like himself.

"Healthcare services and hospitality are the businesses of the future. Thailand's ranking in hospitality is still at the top. I really want to set up an institution that will give Thai people the ability to give quality service but I don't think it could succeed in my time. But I wish to see every part of Thailand able to provide healthcare services in the future," he says.

The tycoon is also focusing on his new business at CTH and plans to list CTH on the stock market within the next three years. If his project succeeds, he may step down as chairman and pass the business on to the young generation.

But that doesn't mean he will retire soon.

"It is my karma. I cannot stop working. I love it too much," the tycoon says.

-- The Nation 2012-12-16

[Lite Beer]

RT@ChadapornLin: Repairs completed for crane accident which took down 15 electric poles yesterday, Rama III road fully open for traffic

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Parking management not ‘The Impossible’

Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Rising property prices, poor public planning and a dire lack of public transport options have combined to leave Phuket with a lack of public parking in some of its most densely-settled areas.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605362-phuket-opinion-parking-management-not-the-impossible/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Shama Christmas Farmers' Market today from 9am-2pm on Sukhumwit Soi 2. Popular for organic produce. Call 02-105-6002 for more information.

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RT@RichardBarrow: Final chance today to watch the light & sound show at the Bridge on the River Kwai Week in Kanchanaburi. Shows at 6:45pm & 9pm.

[Lite Beer]

Party for 4000 auto workers turns into violent fight

SRIRACHA:--Auto Workers Party turns nasty

Reports are emerging from Sri Ratcha, just north of Pattaya, of a massive fight at a party, held for 4000 employees of the Ford and Mazda engineering project on Friday evening.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605376-party-for-4000-auto-workers-turns-into-violent-fight/

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Just slow down

Phuket Gazette -

Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luedwonghad asks drivers to slow down to help prevent fatal accidents on Phuket's roads. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: Samak Luedwonghad, 45, has been trying to make Thailand’s roads safer for 23 years, and is currently the Phuket Highways Office Director. Before he moved to Phuket in February, he had worked for the Department of Rural Roads’ Bureau of Bridge Construction for 10 years, and then for more than five years as the head project engineer of the Bridge Construction and Maintenance Center in Phichit province.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605380-phuket-opinion-just-slow-down/

[Lite Beer]

Police, officials knew of death threats, alleges Reisz girlfriend

Phuket Gazette - Sunday,

“David said he would kidnap Peter, force him to sign papers transferring Peter’s property and money to David, then kill Peter…," alleged Mr Reisz's girlfriend. Photo: Attcha Khamlo

PHUKET: A woman close to Hungarian murder victim Peter Reisz gave her statement to Phuket police, claiming that Samui Police and officials at the Hungarian embassy in Bangkok were aware of death threats being made against Mr Reisz but failed to act appropriately on them.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605381-police-officials-knew-of-death-threats-alleges-reisz-girlfriend/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Dual Pricing at new Big Wheel at Asiatique (TripAdvisor) tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293… #Bangkok

[Lite Beer]

Migrant Working Group campaigns for govt to increase benefits for intl labour

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 16 - Representatives from Migrant Working Group (MWG) and Friends of Women Foundation organised a walking rally campaign today in the capital, asking the Thai government to increase benefits for international labourers.

The event was held to honour International Migrants Day on Dec 18.

The groups asked the government to deal with three issues: social security on unemployment guarantee and allowance for the elderly for workers verified by nationality verification process; consideration on nationality verification processes and regulations; and law amendment for protection of Thai and migrant workers on household shores and fisheries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-16

[Lite Beer]

Pattaya Tourist Police ready for busy festive season

PATTAYA:--Following orders from the National Police Commissioner to become more involved in policing Thai and Foreign Tourists in Pattaya, the Tourist Police have launched a major crime prevention and suppression campaign which will take place over the festive season.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/605418-pattaya-tourist-police-ready-for-busy-festive-season/

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RT@RichardBarrow: Bangkok Symphony Orchestra's "Concert in the Park" at 5:30pm in Lumphini Park. Free admission #Bangkok

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RT@RichardBarrow: As part of the 230th anniversary of Rattanakosin, Phra Athit will be turned into a walking street from 4pm-10pm #Bangkok

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RT@RichardBarrow: Last day for Race of Champions at Rajamangala National Stadium, Hua Mak. Doors open 6pm. Finishes by 11pm

[Lite Beer]

Hotels in Hat Yai fully booked during New Year festival

By Digital Media

SONGKHLA, Dec 16 - Hotels in Hat Yai, the business center of this southern province, have been fully booked during the New Year festival, according to the president of the Tourism Business Federation of Songkhla president, Somchart Pimthanapoonporn.

He made his remarks about tourism in Songkhla’s business town of Hat Yai in December that it is more lively ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

Malaysian tourists start arriving ahead of Christmas to Hat Yai by passenger buses and personal cars, while business areas and hotels are crowded with Malaysian and Singaporean tourists.

More than 12,000 rooms in Hat Yai have been fully booked in advance to celebrate the New Year countdown festival, he said.

This year, the event "Night Paradise Hat Yai Countdown to 2013" will be held on December 30-31 in the town centre along with other festive activities, he added. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-16

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BoT: More funds continue to flow into Thailand, strengthening Thai baht; BoT not intervening; Thai economy forecast to grow 4.7% next year /MCOT

[Lite Beer]

Land Transport Department prepares road safety to welcome New Year holiday

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 16 - Land Transport Department is preparing road safety measures for commuters to welcome the coming Christmas and New Year holidays.

The department's director-general Somchai Siriwattanachok said many people are expected to travel during the festivities despite only a few days off as public holidays.

He said his department is cooperating with the Vocational Education Commission Office, private sector, and other automobile companies, opening up over 2,000 checkpoints for vehicle capacity check-ups for the general public before their travel.

According to Somchai, passengers opt for more van services as a choice of travel, therefore public vans are restricted to carry no more than 15 passengers each at speeds of no more than 90km/hour for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, Transport Company President Wuttichart Kalayanamitr said at least one million passengers are forecast to use services of the company's buses, or about 250,000 passengers/day, over the four-day New Year holiday period from Dec 29-Jan 1.

Transport Company has ordered another 50 buses to serve during this period, thus increasing the number of rounds of bus services during the New Year holiday to 7,000/day from the usual 5,000. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-16

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State Railway concerned for employee security in the deep South; cooperating with central unit for protection, prevention: SRT governor /MCOT

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More money into Asia, Thai currency to strengthen from QE3+

By Digital Media

PRACHUAB KIRIKHAN, Dec 16 – A new round of money to be released by the US into the global economy as part of quantitative easing measures will contribute to successive monetary flow into Asia next year and strengthen Thai currency, according to a senior Bank of Thailand (BoT) official.

Pongpen Ruengvirayudh, BoT deputy governor for monetary stability, said the US Federal Reserve’s QE3+ plan is not unexpected but the money inflow in Asia will be smaller than in Eastern Europe and Latin America, which offer higher returns.

The US Federal Reserve announced in September this year a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3, which included a plan to purchase US$40 billion of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) per month. QE3 was to no avail, compelling it to add larger amounts of money into the economy.

Ms Pongpen said the Thai currency will be stronger but with minor movements and the BoT will not intervene.

The Thai currency will naturally move in accord with the market mechanism and the BoT has never intervened despite stronger baht in the last several years, she said.

She urged the private sector to be cautious and adopt exchange rate risk prevention, despite the fact that Thailand will be spared from economic impact next year.

Thailand has balanced investment, thanks to its ongoing investments in infrastructure in the state and private sectors, she said.

Foreign investments in the Thai bond market totalled US$10 billion for the first nine months of this year while Malaysia attracted twice more than Thailand, she noted.

She added that the Thai stock market which enjoys a 30 per cent increase this year reported an inflow of US$2 billion in foreign funds. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-16

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Thailand Live Monday 17 Dec 2012