Thailand Live Monday 17 Dec 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 17 December 2012

News, Bits and Tweets

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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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Traffic in Bangkok set to worsen in 2014, official warns

Vipaporn Jitsomboon

The Nation

The worst is yet to come for Bangkokians grumbling about traffic conditions.

BANGKOK: -- According to Chula Sukmanop, director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, 2014 will be the worst due to the sharp increase in the number of vehicles and construction of several mega-projects. Though 80 per cent of vehicles bought under the first-car buyer scheme - estimated to reach 800,000 units - are registered in the provinces, it remains unknown how many will be brought to the capital.

Full story:

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Plan for charter hearings unveiled

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan yesterday outlined the government's road map for holding a referendum preceding the third and final reading of the charter-amendment bill.

Full story:

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Sudarat rules out Bangkok governor bid

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Veteran Bangkok-based political figure Sudarat Keyuraphan yesterday firmly closed the door on a campaign to have her selected as Pheu Thai's candidate for governor, saying she was heartbroken that some supporters might see her as having deserting them.

Full story:

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South schools reopen but fears linger

Somchai Samart

The Nation

Fourth army area chied vows to protect teachers

PATTANI: -- Schools in the deep South reopen today, though teachers still feel they are being targeted by insurgents.

Full story:

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Party for 4000 auto workers turns into violent fight

Auto Workers Party turns nasty

SRIRACHA: -- 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:

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Civil-Service Rebalancing a must

Achara Deboonme,

Chularat Saengpassa,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Reform seen as unavoidable given the ballooning cost and the painful lessons learned from the West

BANGKOK: -- As major markets overseas sputter amid political power plays, Thailand needs to get lean and mean, and policy-makers are sharpening their knives to prune public personnel, who account for about 7 per cent of the country's workforce and, with their generous healthcare benefits, 41 per cent of the state budget.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Charter move: A compromise or high stakes risk?

The Nation

Govt readiness for public referendum marks a change in approach but the process will be a huge challenge

BANGKOK: -- Constitutional reform is never easy, even for countries with less political strife. Thailand was lucky to go through an extraordinary process in 1997, when the so-called "People's Constitution" was adopted, without much trouble. Now, the Yingluck government claims it wants to bring back that charter, or at least its essence. The differences between now and then are so many, but chief among them is the missing euphoria that marked the birth of the 1997 constitution.

Full story:

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Still along way to go to improve the image of women in media

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Stereotypical bias in gender representation continues to be prevalent in the mass media in the Asia-Pacific region, according to journalists from 14 countries.

Full story:

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Govt asked to give migrant workers more time to register

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Migrant Worker Network yesterday urged the government to extend the application deadline for nationality verification and to improve social security benefits for approved foreign workers.

-- The Nation 2012-12-17

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Human capital key to growing tourism, says PATA chief

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should put more importance on investing in human capital and not just in "hardware" in the tourism industry if it wants to secure its sustainable development and keep its leadership in the region in this field, said Martin Craigs, chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

Full story:

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Toothless Thai Human Rights Commission

Written by Pavin Chachavalpongpun

An important agency is rendered toothless by its Quisling chairwoman

BANGKOK: -- Amara Pongsapich, the chairperson of Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission. must have felt frustrated to hear that former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had been charged with murder in connection with his role in a military crackdown against pro-Thaksin protesters in 2010.

Full story:

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IKEA announces growth plans in Thailand

By Staff Reporter

The first IKEA store, located in Älmhult in Sweden. File photo, source: wikimedia

BANGKOK: -- IKEA, the furniture store and “more” has announced new plans to expand, including 2 new stores around the capital within the current decade

Full story:

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All schools in Thailand’s southernmost provinces reopen normally

By Digital Media

YALA, Dec 17 -- All schools in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala as well as four districts of Songkhla reopen normally amid tight security and worry on the part of teachers who have a heightened sense of having become prime targets for attack.

Full story:

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RT @ChadapornLin: 4 men arrested for possession of almost 10k speed pills after their pick up ran checkpoint in Samerng, Chiang Mai

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,362.22, up 3.72 points /MCOT

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Phuket rallies for expat sailor Kevin Ashby

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Hundreds of people turned out at the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) on Friday night to contribute much-needed money for the life-saving surgery of beloved Phuket expat sailor Kevin Ashby.

Full story:

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PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

Tough outlook ahead from new rules, labour issues

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Existing property companies should benefit from Bank of Thailand's new measures to reign in possible bubble in the property market, said Tisco Securities.

Referring to a discussion with chairman of the Thai Real Estate Association, the house said that the central bank is more concerned with possible bubbles in the property market. It is prepared to launch new preventive measures like the more stringent loan to value rule. As another hurdle for condominium development, the requirement for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) would also delay their projects as the process could take 6-12 months.

The property sector also anticipates labour shortage. The hike in the minimum wage nationwide will encourage some workers to flee the capital city to provinces. Meanwhile, registered foreign workers are also allowed to work in the prescribed areas.

Tisco Securities expected this to result to lower pre-sales, particularly for condominium projects. They could raise prices to keep the gross profit margin.

"BOT’s more stringent rules would benefit existing developers, as newcomers would find it harder to enter the market. However, labour shortage and higher minimum wage would lead to a decrease in new projects and impact on their gross profit margin," it said.

-- The Nation 2012-12-17

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Deputy PM Chumpol rushed to hospital after having chest pain

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy PM Chumpol Silapa-archa on Monday was rushed to hospital after collapsing during a meeting at the Parliament.

He complained of chest pain and was unable to breathe before collapsing during a preparation meeting of the World Expo 2020. He was sent to Mission Hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-12-17

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Criminal Court rules that Red Shirt Chartchai Chalao was killed by army bullet in Rama IV Road during 2010 anti-government protests /MCOT

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PM visits Myanmar, inspects progress at Dawei Special Economic Zone

By Digital Media

DAWEI, Dec 17 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met Myanmar President Thein Sein and inspected progress in developing Dawei Special Economic Zone (Dawei SEZ).

Ms Yingluck led a strong delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, Minister of Transport Chadchart Sittipunt, Minister of Energy Pongsak Ruktapongpisal and Minister of Industry Prasert Boonchaisuk, to follow up on the latest progress at Dawei and its related projects in Myanmar.

Upon arrival at Dawei airport, Ms Yingluck met Mr Thein Sein and thanked him for personally leading her delegation of Thai government officials and potential private sector investors to visit the site where the Dawei industrial zone and seaport will be built.

The Thai premier stressed that her government has every intention and readiness to support Myanmar in developing the project.

She said the visit would benefit the development of the Dawei SEZ and the Thai business representatives would have a better understanding of the project.

The Thailand-Myanmar Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Development in the Dawei SEZ, co-chaired by Thai Prime Minister's Office Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and Myanmar Industry Minister Aye Myint still have issues to be finalised including the form finance for the project, and special laws on investment promotion within the zone.

It is expected that the JCC can conclude the details of outstanding issues by February and forward details to the Thailand-Myanmar Joint High-Level committee for the Comprehensive Development of the Dawei SEZ and its related project areas (JHC) to consider and sign a new version of the Framework Agreement and Sectoral Agreement by next March.

The JHC is co-chaired by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong and Myanmar Vice President Nyan Tan.

Thailand and Myanmar plan to start fundraising and ground breaking for the project by April. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-17

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ECONOMY

Amid risks, Thailand to show continued economic growth

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul highlighted Global economic uncertainties, the United States' fiscal cliff, public debt crisis in the euro zone as well as political change in Japan as risk factors to the Thai economy next year.

The central bank forecasts 4.6-4.7 per cent growth rate for 2013.

At "BOT meet the press" over the weekend, Prasarn foresees further relaxation in monetary policies.

"The Monetary Policy Committee is of the view that the global economy would continue expanding, but with some risks which pose more pressure than inflation. The monetary policies will thus remain relaxed. The current policy rate at 2.75 per cent is lower than inflation, which is to accommodate economic expansion," he said.

For economic stability, the Bank of Thailand is now in discussion with the Finance Ministry over measures to curb household debt, particularly among people earning less than Bt10,000 a month. There is no conclusion yet whether Thailand needs a new regulatory body.

Prasarn admitted that the government’s policies on minimum wage hike, first-car buyer scheme and first-home buyer scheme partially drove up household debt. He noted that it is essential that all should learn to save more for long-term financial stability.

Suchada Kirakul, advisor to the Bank of Thailand’s governor, said that capital inflows to Asia as well as Thailand tend to increase further, but this should not largely affect the Thai baht. The government’s investment in mega projects should also offset the impact of inflows, as some materials have to be imported.

She envisioned the possible reduction in current account surplus or even a current account deficit, due to the public and private sector investment. This would also be assisted by the Bank of Thailand’s new measures to promote overseas investment by Thai companies. Meanwhile, Thailand should register only a single-digit export growth next year.

"A number of investment projects have been planned for next year, particularly by the public sector. In the first quarter, the bill to endorse the government’s Bt2.27 trillion borrowing would be drafted. Meanwhile, the government would need to borrow under the Bt350 billion borrowing decree, which would be expired in June," she said.

-- The Nation 2012-12-16

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POLITICS

Deputy PM Chumpol in ICU after emergency heart surgery

File photo : Chumpol

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silapaarcha is receiving treatment at Ramadhibodi Hospital after collapsing during a meeting at the Parliament.

Latest reports indicate that Chumpol has already undergone Coronary angioplasty. He is now in the intensive care unit.

He was initially rushed to Mission Hospital but his nephew; Warawuth, requested the transfer as Chumpol's own cardiologist is based at Ramathibodi Hospital.

Chumpol, who is also sports minister, complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing during a preparatory meeting of the World Expo 2020. He then collapsed and was taken to Mission Hospital by ambulance.

-- The Nation 2012-12-16

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Ex-PM Banharn: Deputy PM Chumpol, his younger brother, out of danger after coronary thrombosis /MCOT

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RT@RichardBarrow: You’ve probably been through a Car Wash, but have you ever seen a Plane Wash? (Pic @ThaiAirways) pic.twitter.com/pJ398qEK

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NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

No More Non-B Multiple Visas From Kuala Lumpur

Full story:

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Court finds another red-shirt protester killed by troops

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court ruled Monday that a redshirt protester was definitely killed by bullets fired by troops on May 13, 2010.

The inquest concluded that Chartchai Chalao, a member of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD), had been killed in shooting by troops who were carriying out an operation under the order of the Center for Resolution of the Emergency Situation.

Chartchai was shot on Rama 4 Road. He was hit in the head by a 0.223 bullets, which torn through his brains and skull.

However, the inquest has been unable to pinpoint what agency the troops came from.

This is the third case in which the Criminal court has concluded that the death had been caused by government troops.

-- The Nation 2012-12-17

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ECONOMY

Monetary policies to remain relaxed, amid risks

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul highlighted Global economic uncertainties, the United States' fiscal cliff, public debt crisis in the euro zone as well as political change in Japan as risk factors to the Thai economy next year.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1359.09, up 0.59; Bt/USD30.46; GBP49.12; AUD31.96; EUR39.97; CAD30.74; HKD3.92; SGD24.84; JPY36.1