Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Jan 2013

[Lite Beer]

Rights group demands returning controversial TV series to air

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 8 – The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) was told today to order TV Channel 3 to air the controversial soap opera Nua Mek 2, suspended since last Friday.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/610330-thaitv-3-decision-to-can-nua-mek-2-probed/#entry6000618

[Lite Beer]

Thai exports not looking bright this year: CITS.

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 8 - The Center for International Trade Studies (CITS) of University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce forecast that Thailand's exports are still not looking bright for this year, particularly in main markets such as Japan, the EU, and the US.

CITS Director Aat Pisanwanich said Thai exports in 2013 will expand by 3.1-7.2 per cent.

Risk factors affecting the exports include the fluctuation of the world economy especially in Japan and US, Thailand's main export destinations, and are tending to continually slow down.

Dr Aat said Thai exports to the main markets will expand only by 1.5 per cent, while expansion in the EU will expand 3.6 per cent and in Japan at 3.1 per cent respectively.

Other factors include the government's nationwide Bt300 minimum wage, causing higher production costs and lowering competitive priicing ability, as well as lowering agricultural prices in the world market, and the tendency to strengthen the baht.

The centre director said rice will be the most affected export, for its prices are still higher than other countries, followed by ready-to-wear clothes, which due to higher salaries and a shortage of labour have become issues for entrepreneurs, and the frozen. and processed prawn industry.

However, Dr Aat said ASEAN and other Asian countries remain Thailand's export markets, where export growth is likely to grow 8 and 5 per cent respectively. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2013-01-08

[Lite Beer]

Education ministry commemorates teachers' deaths in deep South

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 8 - Thailand's Ministry of Education on Tuesday performed religious ceremonies to commemorate the deaths of teachers killed in the violence in the insurgency-torn deep South.

Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich led ministry officials to make merit for the slain teachers in both Islamic and Buddhist rites at the ministry in Bangkok.

Since the insurgency resurfaced in 2004, 157 teachers have died in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.

Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana on the same day inaugurated the caravan of runners and cyclists to raise public fund to help the families of teachers who were killed or injured while on duty in the restive region.

Meanwhile, in the northern province of Chiang Rai, the hometown of slain teacher Juling Pongamoon, Doi Luang District Chief Worayan Boonnarach and Ms Juling's family performed Buddhist rites on the anniversary of the young teacher's death six years ago today.

Juling Pongamoon, assistant teacher of Kujingreupa School in Narathiwat's Rangae district, was attacked and beaten by insurgents on May 19, 2006 at the school where she taught. The young elementary school teacher was seriously wounded and later died on January 8, 2007.

Ms Juling's mother, Kammee Pongkanmoon, said she still misses her daughter although she died six years ago. The grieving mother said she wishes to see peace in the restive South.

She also calls on the insurgents to stop violence against teachers and other innocent people. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-08

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Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand resigning Wednesday, not today

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 8 -- Incumbent Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra will resign his position tomorrow to ensure fair competition in the city's gubernatorial election as he seeks a second term.

The incumbent, Mr Sukhumbhand, said it was a slight misunderstanding when Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday that he would submit his resignation on Tuesday.

The governor said, according to the procedure, the resignation letter must be sent via the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) city clerk to the Interior Ministry. But the city clerk was not available to receive the resignation letter so that he would submit the letter Wednesday for it to be effective at midnight.

Mr Sukhumbhand's four-year term as Bangkok governor will end on Thursday and he is seeking re-election.

According to procedure if he works until his full term ends, he must remain in an acting position until the election and could be a target of attack for fairness. If he resigns before the end of the term, the city clerk will act in the position.

The Bangkok governor said that he would appear before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Wednesday to acknowledge an allegation against him concerning the alleged pre-emptive awarding of a 30-year concession extension contract to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Company (BTSC) to operate the capital’s Skytrain.

The DSI charged Mr Sukhumbhand with breaching the law in signing the contract despite the fact the present concession remains valid for the next 13 years. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-08

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RT @RichardBarrow: Hollywood movie star Adrien Brody has arrived in Thailand & will be at @siam_center on Wednesday http://thai.vi/RDrWHZ

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Cabinet approved tax relief proposals for SMEs with annual revenue of less than Bt50 mn a year /The Nation

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Panthongtae urges Channel 3 to resume Nua Mek 2 broadcast

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The son of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Panthongtae, Tuesday urged the Channel 3 to broadcast the final episodes of TV series, Nua Mek 2, via his Facebook message. The series, which seems to mock the Shinawatras, was pulled off air last Friday.

Full story:

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SET index closed at 1417.33, up 2.01; Bt/USD30.30; GBP48.73; AUD31.63; EUR39.66; CAD30.60; HKD3.90; SGD24.54; JPY34.4

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UPDATE

NBTC may order Channel 3 to air Nua Mek 2's final episodes

Veena Thoopkrajae

Watchiranont Thongtep

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission may ask Channel 3 operator to show final episodes of "Nua Mek 2" to see whether they really breach the law as claimed by the television station, a Bangkok seminar on the controversial self-censure by the television station was told Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry6001198

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Civil servants face axe for sick-leave

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a regulation that will allow supervisors to fire civil servants whose sick-leave exceeds 120 days in a fiscal year.

The regulation, proposed by the Office of the Civil Service Commission, will also give supervisors the power to dismiss any official who has taken more than 60 days of sick leave for two consecutive years.

"The regulation will not apply to officials who have been injured or fallen ill because of their duties," said deputy government spokesman Parkdehans Himathongkom.

He said that supervisors must first send the officials in question to a state hospital for examination.

"A doctor's opinion will be used to determine whether the officials are fit to remain in service," Parkdehans said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-08

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RT @veen_NT: 30 minute delay for Airport Link city line due to technical problem. *sigh

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to continue:

Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Jan 2013