Thailand Live Monday 24 Dec 2012

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Thailand Live Monday 24 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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SPECIAL REPORT

Steeper tax cut needed to stop 'brain drain'

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Move will attract more talent to the country and draw new investment, say experts

BANGKOK: -- he Pheu Thai government is trying to keep taxpayers happy by restructuring the personal income tax rates, but a steeper cut is necessary if the Kingdom wants to raise its profile among foreign investors, who are being wooed by countries with lower tax rates.

Full story:

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Migrant workers in limbo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The fate of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand is hanging in the balance as labour ministers of the two countries fail to reach common ground over the extension of nationality verification.

Myanmar Labour Minister U Maung Myint visited Thailand over the weekend to follow up a promise which PM Yingluck Shinawatra gave to Myanmar President Thein Sein last week when they met in Dawei. Yingluck reportedly told Thein Sein Thailand would extend the deadline for nationality verification for migrants for 3 more months from Dec 14. The deadline left 1.3 million or more Myanmar workers undocumented and vulnerable to increased exploitation.

Myanmar Labour Minister U Maung Myint asked to meet with counterpart Phadermchai Sasomsap, but the Thai side informed the Myanmar minister Bangkok did not have a policy to extend the deadline. There may have been a misunderstanding, a Thai Labour official said. Those who have failed to verify their nationality after the deadline would be deemed illegal and face deportation.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

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Demolition dispute row heats us between court, Fine Arts dept

Opas Bunlom

The Nation

Both sides have threatened legal action; top court to meet today

BANGKOK: -- The row between the Supreme Court and the Department of Fine Arts over the demolition of "historic" buildings in the court compound near Sanam Luang has turned nasty with the department threatening to sue and the court to countersue.

Full story:

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EDITORIAL

Why are we cutting tax for the most wealthy people?

The Nation

Pheu Thai govt favouring the rich when the country has limited revenue

BANGKOK: -- The Yingluck government claims that the new tax structure is meant to create justice for all taxpayers. However, justice cannot be achieved by cutting the personal income tax rate for the rich.

Full story:

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Thai diplomacy will be tested in 2013

Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The new strategic environment in East Asia, caused by recent leadership changes and growing nationalism, coupled with the rising confidence of Southeast Asian nations, will severely test the tenets of Thai foreign policy. As the only independent country in the region without any baggage of colonisation, Thailand has pursued a well known diplomacy of "mai kao kang krai" or "not siding with anyone".

Full story:

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Talk of repatriation spurs tension in border camps

Jim Pollard

The Nation

Courtesy of The Border Consortium

BANGKOK: -- News about the construction of an alleged "resettlement" site in Karen State and claims that a dozen other sites have been earmarked for refugees on the Thai-Myanmar border have led to heightened tension in the nine border camps.

Full story:

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Khao Yai crocodile freaking out tourists

By Coconuts Bangkok

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Rangers are actively trying to catch a two-meter crocodile that has been spotted several times lurking by a waterfall at Khao Yai National Park.

Full story:

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Democrats query need to change Article 309

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party yesterday demanded Pheu Thai explain why it wants to amend Article 309 of the Constitution and why it considers the amendment would not affect former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full story:

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Pheu Thai to reveal governor candidate in 2 weeks

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party will announce its candidate for the Bangkok governor election on January 10, a party spokesman said yesterday.

The party will discuss the matter at a meeting tomorrow, party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said. Pheu Thai is expected to field deputy police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen. Meanwhile, the opposition Democrat Party's selection committee will meet today to finalise its candidate.

It was unclear whether the party will be able to announce a candidate this week, because the panel has to nominate a candidate to the party's executive board, which makes the final decision, deputy party leader Apirak Kosayodhin said.

Four Democrats want the job: incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra; former deputy premier Korbsak Sabhavasu; former deputy Bangkok governor Prakob Jirakitti; and Apichai Techaubon, a former vice minister at the PM's Office. Korbsak and Apichai will unveil their policy platforms to the committee today, following last week's announcements by Sukhumbhand and Prakob.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

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Petrol depot in flames

The Nation

Full story:

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Replacements sought for Buddhist teachers in south

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Volunteer teachers or teachers from the Border Patrol Police School should be deployed to replace Buddhist teachers moved from the far South out of fear they will be killed by insurgents, the chairman of the Confederation of Teachers of the Three Southern Border Provinces said yesterday.

Full story:

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US gun lobby issues point-blank 'no' to gun control

WASHINGTON: -- The most powerful gun lobby in the United States has ruled out any support for greater regulation of firearms or ammunition magazines in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre.

Full story:

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Aussies warned about Phuket scamsters

BANGKOK: -- Australian tourists in Phuket should be wary of extortion gangs, some of which are in cahoots with local police.

Full story:

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Jobs's superyacht impounded over unpaid bill

AMSTERDAM: -- Steve Jobs's Dutch-built superyacht has been impounded in Amsterdam because of a dispute between the late Apple founder's estate and designer Philippe Starck over an unpaid bill, a Starck lawyer says.

Full story:

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Southern teachers' faith in government’s 'security' provisions runs low

By Digital Media

NARATHIWAT, Dec 24 – The morale of teachers in Thailand’s far South has deteriorated, with educators openly announcing their lack of confidence in the government’s security measures and warning that the chronic violence has impacted the country’s education, economy and social affairs, and dumped people into a state of fear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry5957963

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,373.45, gains 0.07 points /MCOT

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Market fire at Rayong's Ban Phe, electrical transformer short circuit causes fire that burns out more than 30 vendors, causing Bt5 million damage /MCOT

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NACC reveals assets of new cabinet ministers; DPM Phongthep richest with Bt2.9 billion; Dept Health Min Cholanan has Bt3m in assets /MCOT

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Government House to open doors for National Children's Day January 12; five areas of activiy arranged for children's visit /MCOT

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Defence minister to visit deep South tomorrow

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 24 - Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat is scheduled to visit Thailand's insurgency-torn deep South on Tuesday to follow up the situation and boost moral support for military personnel.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said his visit is set near the New Year festive season to boost the spirit of security personnel deployed in the restive southern border region.

The minister said he believes the situation there will improve as all concerned agencies understand well the government's policy to tackle violence in far South.

He said the operations plan will be adjusted in accordance with the situation as the violence in the deep South is quite complex, while the assailants' operations are quite dynamic.

"The New Year gift that (we) want to give the public on behalf of supervisor of security agencies is that (we) will monitor the situation in the restive region at best and there will be some changes in the areas soon.", pledged the defence minister.

Marshal Sukumpol urged the media to use caution in reporting the southern unrest as it is a sensitive issue.

More than 5,000 people, including local residents, security officials, monks and insurgents, have been killed since violence erupted in the restive southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in 2004. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-24

[Lite Beer]

Heavy rain causes floods in several areas of Thailand's South

NARATHIWAT, Dec 24 - Continuous rain in this far southern province has caused floods in six districts with water levels as much as 30cm, but the roads are still passable.

The six districts are Su-ngai Kolok, Tak Bai, Si Sakhon, Su-ngai Padi, Waeng, and Chanae. Floods cover over 30km of the Waeng-Tak Bai route.

Local residents have started to move their belongings to higher ground.

In Songkhla province, rain has continued for almost two weeks, while the water situation there is closely monitored, particularly on main canals and in the provincial seat. The water level there is so far still not worrying.

The Songkhla local meteorological office has issued warnings for those living in the South from Surat Thani further South be careful of heavy rain today and tomorrow, while small boats should avoid going off shore.

In Phatthalung, rain has continued for three days, causing water levels of about 30cm in four districts -- the provincial seat, Khao Chaison, Srinaharinda, and Khuan Khanun. Over 2,000 households and 5,000 rai of rice and rubber fields are affected. Local authorities have been draining out water into Songkhla Lake.

Meanwhile, rainfalls and flashfloods have continued in Narathiwat. Lan Saka district is the latest area where flooding has occurred.

In Prachuap Khiri Khan province, four-metre waves occurred today, overflowing 1,500 metres of a beach road, in a main tourist destination, with water about 50cm deep. Over 100 fishing boats could not leave shore this morning. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-24

[Lite Beer]

North, Northeastern regions feel the freeze as temperatures drop sharply

LAMPHUN, Dec 24 -- Many provinces in the north and northeastern provinces are affected by cold spells as the active high pressure area from China is covering upper Thailand causing temperatures to drop sharply by 4-7 degrees Celsius.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office in the northern province of Lumphun has coordinated with the district and local authorities to survey those affected by the cold weather in order to promptly provide assistance amid the chilling weather.

Heavy fog covered the province early this morning leaving visibility at only 20 metres.

In the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham, the temperature morning stayed at 16 degrees Celsius, dropping by five degrees Celsius as strong winds have lowered the temperature.

Students must in the sunshine to stay warm, while students were allowed to wear trousers to protect themselves from cold.

The provincial disaster response service estimated that some 160,000 people would be impacted from the cold weather this year.

In Nakhon Phanom, people in many districts have to light fires to stay warm as the provincial meteorogical office reported that the temperature this morning was recorded at 12 degrees Celsius.

The Northeastern Meteorological Centre in Ubon Ratchathani said the high pressure ridge from China has covered upper Thailand. Temperature would drop by 4-7 degree Celsius in upper Thailand today through Wednesday. The temperature will be below 16 degrees Celsius in many areas with very cold weather at the high mountain in the North and the upper Northeast, including frost in some areas on the mountaintops. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-24

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SOUTH CRISIS

Defence minister to visit deep south Tuesday

File photo : Sukumpol

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat is scheduled to visit the deep south on Tuesday to follow up the situation and boost moral support for military personnel.

Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said his visit is set near the New Year festive season to boost the spirit of security personnel deployed in the restive southern border region.

The minister said he believes the situation there will improve as all concerned agencies understand well the government’s policy to tackle violence in far South.

He said the operations plan will be adjusted in accordance with the situation as the violence in the deep South is quite complex, while the assailants’ operations are quite dynamic.

"The New Year gift that (we) want to give the public on behalf of supervisor of security agencies is that (we) will monitor the situation in the restive region at best and there will be some changes in the areas soon.", pledged the defence minister.

Marshal Sukumpol urged the media to use caution in reporting the southern unrest as it is a sensitive issue.

More than 5,000 people, including local residents, security officials, monks and insurgents, have been killed since violence erupted in the restive southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in 2004.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

[Lite Beer]

Blaze in Rayong's market

The Nation

A fire started in a market in Rayong's Muang district on Sunday night, damaging about 30 shops but there were no reports of injuries.

Firefighters with two water trucks spent about 20 minutes fighting the fire before managing to extinguish the blaze.

Initial investigation showed that the fire may have been caused by electrical fault with an electrical generator.

Sak Boonyarit, 55, a security guard said he was patrolling the market about 9.30pm when he saw flames from the generator before they spread to the shops nearby. The fire damaged about 30 of 180 shops in the market. The cost of the damage is not yet known.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

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BLAZES

Toyota fire estimated to have cost Bt50mn

The Nation

CHACHOENGSAO: -- An initial estimate of the damage caused by a fire at a Toyota assembly plant in Chachoengsao on Sunday night is about Bt50 million.

The fire broke out at about 7pm at an engine oil storage tank of the Toyota plant in Ban Pho district, about 100 km east of the capital.

Executives of the Toyota plant and Chachoengsao Governor Ruengsak Mahavinitchaimontri visited the site at about midnight and held a press briefing later.

Pairoj Hirunruangrong, senior president of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing Co Ltd (TMAP-EM), said the fire destroyed the storage, pallets, engine oil and ten forklifts.

Sporadic explosions were heard during the blaze. A dozen fire trucks were sent to the assembly plant.

There were no reports of casualties, as most workers were off for the weekend.

The governor said the company will today contact pollution control agency to invite its officials to check if there was pollution spreading to nearby areas following the fires. However they said they expected no emission of pollution because there were no toxic substances kept in the storage facility, although there could be haze or smoke from the fire.

The fire was put out before midnight of the same day, entirely by water. No chemicals or foam were used. All the water used in the process would be recycled. Toyota has also worked with government units in Chachoengsao, to evaluate the impact of this incident on the nearby community.

"Toyota will take all responsibility for this," Pairoj said.

Police earlier suspected that a worker left the battery of an electric forklift truck charging too long, and that it overheated and caused the fire.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

[Lite Beer]

RT@veen_NT: Shortage of blood supply at Kasetsat animal hospital reported. Bring your dogs to donate. Call 02 942 8756-9. TR @rawang

[Lite Beer]

AUTOMOBILE

Toyota operates as usual in Chacheongsao

The Nation

CHACHOENGSAO: -- Despite the fire incident, Toyota Motor Thailand has maintained the normal operations at its Ban Pho facility in Chachoengsao.

Vichien Emprasertsuk, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Thailand, said that despite the fire, the Ban Pho facility is operating as usual.

"The incident does not affect the production or the supply of parts to our dealers," he said.

At the facility in Chachoengsao, Toyota is churning out nearly half of its annual capacity of over 600,000 units. The fire broke out on Sunday at the engine oil storage warehouse, which is estimated to cost Bt50 million in initial damage.

The fire was put out before midnight of the same day, entirely by water. No chemicals or foam were used, the company said in a statement. All the water used in the process would be recycled. Toyota has also worked with government units in Chachoengsao, to evaluate the impact of this incident on the nearby community.

-- The Nation 2012-12-24

[Lite Beer]

Chiang Mai declares 15 districts cold weather-impacted, 200,000 households affected; 10C temperature recorded at Nan mountain top /MCOT