Thailand Live Tuesday 22 January 2013

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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THE WORLD COURT

'Thais won't accept ICJ ruling in temple dispute'

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A yellow-shirt group yesterday submitted letters to the United Nations, the Army chief and the Supreme Court president, demanding rejection of the ongoing International Court of Justice hearing into the Thai-Cambodian dispute.

Full story:

POLITICS

Chumpol's death could lead to wider Thai Cabinet reshuffle

Piyanart Srivalo,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The death of Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silpa-archa has renewed a fight among coalition partners for his coveted tourism and sport Cabinet post and is also likely to lead to a reshuffle of some ministers.

Full story:

REFUGEES

Call for regional help to deal with Rohingya

The Nation

Flood of refugees should be discussed by Asean, NHRC says.

BANGKOK: -- Ethnic Rohingya fleeing from Myanmar deserve the attention of Asean as their problems are huge, a panel of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says.

Full story:

Burmese refugees sold on by Thai officials

Full story:

Update

Thai army officials 'involved' in people smuggling

BANGKOK, Jan 22, 2013 (AFP) - Thai authorities said on Monday they were investigating allegations that army officials were involved in the trafficking of Rohingya boat people fleeing deadly sectarian violence in Myanmar.

Full story: page__st__25#entry6040203

ANALYSIS

Whispers on the campaign trail

Thasong Asvasena,

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Rival candidates Pongsapat Pongcharoen of Pheu Thai Party and Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party greet each other at yesterday

BANGKOK: -- Was Sukhumbhand hurt by the 2011 flood? Does Pongsapat have anti-drugs successes to boast of?

Full story:

EDITORIAL

Much ado about hairdos and freedom of choice

The Nation

What is the point of allowing schoolchildren to wear their hair as they choose if the system itself still doesn't provide a decent education?

BANGKOK: -- Are we giving hair more credit than it deserves? One school of thought defends the education minister's intention to "liberate" students by scrapping a rule on crewcuts for boys, whereas the other camp insists that students have been made to live within some kind of "box" for good reason. Both sides have produced sound arguments, but the bottom line is this: does hair really matter that much?

Full story:

BURNING ISSUE

Govt's alliance with red shirts stuck on shaky ground

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Within the next few months, the government is slated to finalise its decision on the Bt300 billion high-speed train project linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Full story:

Agency to probe temple stink

Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation

NAKHON PATHOM: -- A temple in Nakhon Pathom 'put up for sale' by its abbot in a protest against the smell from a nearby factory will today undergo air-quality tests by the Pollution Control Department (PCD).

The PCD team will visit Or Noi Temple today with "registered human sniffers" to check the smell, and devices to determine the level of airborne dust particles.

Its abbot, Luang Phu Buddha Issara, had announced that the monastery was up for sale.

"Clearly, he doesn't intend to really sell it. He just wants relevant authorities to solve the problem," National Office of Buddhism head Nopparat Benjawattananan said yesterday.

Supoj Ua-jitsurakul, general manager of the animal-feed factory near the temple, said his factory had already installed an odour-treatment system, but the abbot was still unhappy.

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

Senators reject Chalerm's idea of arming Kamnans in South

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Senate meeting yesterday objected to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung's idea of arming kamnan and village headmen in the three southernmost provinces with machine guns.

Full story:

BTSC did not study laws

Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Executives of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC), operator of the Skytrain, reported yesterday to the Department of Special Investigation to acknowledge charges that they ran the system without a legitimate contract. They denied any wrongdoing.

BTSC executive chairman Keeree Kanjanapas and chief operating officer Surapong Laoha-unya spent more than three hours listening to charges against them and testifying in their own defence.

The DSI has launched a probe into the contract, struck between the Democrat-led Bangkok Metropolitan Administration via its legal investment arm Krungthep Tanakom (KT), and the BTSC. Under the contract, the BTSC has continued to operate the original Skytrain network (not including the two extension routes).

The DSI is investigating whether the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had the authority to award contracts worth hundreds of billion baht to the BTSC without prior approval from the interior minister, which has a mandate over concessions for rail-based systems.

Keeree and Surapong said they did not know whether the BMA had the authority to award the contracts or not, head of the probe team, Pol Lt-Colonel Thawan Mangkang, yesterday.

"How could the firm agree to enter into the contracts without studying all the relevant laws first? It seems impossible that both sides [the BTSC and BMA] failed to examine the legal aspects first," Thawan said.

He said his team gathered all facts related to the case but would question more witnesses for legal information before forwarding a brief to public prosecutors.

Thawan said Keeree, Surapong, and the two former Bangkok governors MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Apirak Kosayodhin may be summoned to acknowledge charges relating to the contracts by which the BTSC operates the two Skytrain extensions.

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

UPDATE

Union proposal sent to THAI board

Nongnapas Maipanich

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International's labour union has agreed to a one-month bonus and a Bt300-million increase in incentive allowances, which are expected to be proposed to the board of directors shortly.

Full story:

Finnwatch reveals labour abuses among Thai suppliers to Europe

BANGKOK: -- Finnwatch, an independent researcher on corporate responsibility issues, on Monday accused a major Thai supplier of pineapple concentrate to Europe of extensive labour abuses.

Full story:

Vanessa Mae aims to ski for Thailand at the Winter Olympics

Vanessa-Mae at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 21 October 2004

File photo, source: wikimedia

LONDON: -- Violinist Vanessa-Mae has put music on hold for a year and is rehearsing for a new role – skiing for Thailand at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Full story:

Govt revives scholarships, launches seed money loans

Atapoom Ongkulna,

Prapaporn Kreungew

The Nation

UTTARADIT: -- A Cabinet meeting in Uttaradit yesterday approved some Bt14.5 billion to revive the 'One District One Scholarship' project while PM Yingluck Shinawatra launched the 'Seed Money Fund' project.

Full story:

BANGKOK GOVERNOR

18 gubernatorial hopefuls apply for heated race

BANGKOK: -- The lot drawing for the Bangkok gubernatorial election saw Pheu Thai candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen get Number 9 while his Democrat rival Sukhumbhand Paribatra drew Number 16.

Today was the first of five days for Bangkok governor hopefuls to register their candidacies. The venue, Bangkok city hall, was crowded and noisy with supporters of the 19 candidates also showing up. All will compete in the March 3 election to be successor of Sukhumbhand, the former governor. Sixteen of them applied in the morning and two more in the afternoon.

More candidates are expected to show up to register this week.

The candidates, who paid Bt50,000 for the registration, took turn to pick numbers. Pongsapat was the last to draw a lot. Former police chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyaves got number 11. Each candidate is allowed by law to spend no more than Bt49 million for the campaign.

List of candidates as of Monday, January 21

No 1 : Wila Udom (Independent)

No 2 : Warunchai Chokchana (Independent)

No 3 : Metta Temchamnarn (Independent)

No 4 : Sophon Pornchockchai (Independent)

No 5 : Samit Samittinun (Independent)

No 6 : Sunhapot Suksrimuang (Independent)

No 7 : Nutdanai Pubateattawit (Independent)

No 8 : Sumet Tuntanasirikul (Independent)

No 9 : Pongsapat Pongcharoen (Pheu Thai)

No 10 : Kosit Suwinitjit (Independent)

No 11 : Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyaves (Independent)

No 12 : Jongjit Hirunyalarp (Independent)

No 13 : Wasin Pirom (Independent)

No 14 : Prateep Watcharachokkasem (Independent)

No 15 : Jumras Intumarn (Independent)

No 16 : Sukhumbhand Paribatra (Democrat)

No 17 : Suharit Siamwala (Independent)

No 18: Nanpas Kosaiyakanon (independent)

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

Phuket Police alerted over triple-homicide killer

Phuket Gazette

Phang Nga Provincial Police Commander Chalit Kaewyarat, who for years served as a senior officer at Chalong Police Station, believes his officers will be able to arrest the triple-homicide suspect ‘soon’. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police are on the lookout for a man wanted for triple homicide in Phang Nga.

Full story:

Welfare shelter north of Phuket calls for food, item donations to help Rohingya women and children

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A family refuge shelter in Khukkhak, just north of the popular Phang Nga tourist area of Khao Lak Beach, is calling for item donations to aid 46 Rohingya women and children who are now in the shelter’s care.

Full story:

Phuket Police now suspect motorbike assassins in Jintana execution

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Police on the hunt for the killers of Jintana Mahattanapak now have a description of the gunman and his driver accomplice, as well as the motorbike the killers were riding.

Full story:

Megaupload founder Dotcom launches new website

Full story:

Singaporean suffering the same fate as Lee Chestnutt?

Jaffrey Maharan

BANGKOK: -- Jaffrey Maharan, a Singaporean businessman, has reportedly been stuck in Thailand for three years following a legal dispute in which his ex-landlord accused him of stealing furniture and causing damage to a rental property.

Full story:

Thai car sales hit record high

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's vehicle sales reached 1,436,335 units last year, up 81 per cent, boosted by tax waivers for first-time buyers, industry sources said Monday.

Full story:

Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,442.73, up 2.25 points /MCOT

RT @veen_NT: French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault and his wife Brigitte will pay Thailand an official Visit on 4-5 Feb 2013 as PM guests. via @MFAThai_PR_EN

RT @RichardBarrow: A woman on Suk71 has just given birth to a baby girl. Both mother & daughter are doing well (Pic @motorcyrubjang) http://twitter.com/motorcyrubjang/status/293569055128956929/photo/1

THAI gets $240 million loan to purchase 2 Airbus A330s

BANGKOK, 22 January 2013 (NNT) - Kasikorn Bank, along with foreign financial institutions, is lending 240 million US dollars to THAI Airways International to purchase 2 new aircraft.

According to Kasikorn Executive Vice President Vasin Vanichvoranun, the bank is joining hands with French Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Germany-based Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen, to loan 240 million US dollars to THAI Airways International, to purchase two Airbus A330-300s. The loan comes with a 12-year repayment term. According to him, the loan has made Kasikorn the first Thai commercial bank to provide this type of international financial services.

In the meantime, THAI Airways International President Sorajak Kasemsuvan said the purchase is in accordance with the company's 3-year program of aircraft procurement, in order to develop its fleet and raise its financial potentials. The new Airbus330-300s have been operating since September last year, on the Bangkok-Taipei-Hong Kong-Japan route.

-- NNT 2013-01-22

French PM to visit Thailand next month

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 22 - French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault is scheduled to visit Thailand early next month at the invitation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Thai foreign ministry's statement said Mr Ayrault, accompanied by his spouse Madame Brigitte Ayrault, will pay a two-day official visit February 4-5, as the first visit by a high level representative of France to the kingdom in seven years.

The last visit was that of former French President Jacques Chirac as a Royal Guest of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2006.

The French premier's visit follows that of Prime Minister Yingluck to the French Republic last July.

The statement said the past and upcoming visits underscore the commitment of both countries to boosting the Strategic Partnership between the two countries initiated in 2004. It is also an opportunity to add another chapter in the long history of Thai-French relations which began with the reciprocal dispatch of embassies in the 17th century.

Mr Ayrault will meet with Ms Yingluck on February 5, focusing on expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, as well as increasing cooperation in varied fields including developing basic infrastructure, education and research and alternative energy.

The two leaders will also discuss regional and global issues of common interest and concern, including the continued prosperity and stability of Southeast Asia, based on a competitive ASEAN Community and a more connected Mekong and wider Asia-Pacific regions as well as developments in Europe and the European Union.

The French premier is expected to speak on relations between Thailand and the French Republic at Thammasat University. He will also preside over the inauguration of the Franco-Thai Business Forum and then meet the French community in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-22

DBD uplifts Thailand's logistics system

BANGKOK, 22 January 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry has given certificates to road transportation businesses which passed the quality standard in 2012, as a mean to encourage others in the logistics industry to follow suit and help them uplift their business capacity.

Department of Business Development (DBD)Deputy Dirctor-General Ittipol Changlum said his department has been playing an important role in preparing Thai entrepreneurs, especially the logistics businesses, ahead of the emergence of ASEAN Economic Community.

To encourage Thai logistics businesses, the DBD has awarded those entrepreneurs, whose standards, in 2012, have met the DBD requirements. The director said the move would help enhance the capability of Thai SMEs to be on par with their counterparts in the ASEAN region.

He said logistics businesses are vital to the country’s economic development. They involve transportation, warehousing and storage, inventory management and packaging, etc. They create an income of 820 billion baht per annum. At present, about 16,000 logistics businesses have registered with the department, with a total of 234 billion baht in registered capital.

-- NNT 2013-01-22

Fashion show of 15 national costumes held in Surin

SURIN, 22 January 2013 (NNT) - Artists from 15 nations donning their national costumes joined a catwalk in Surin Province to promote the local cultures.

The 8th Surin International Folklore Festival has been held at Surin Rajabhat University. The fashion show, consisting of over 300 models from 15 different countries dressed up in their respective national costumes, was held on January 20th amidst huge crowd. The models also donned wedding dresses, under the concept of "wedding party", symbolizing love to welcome the upcoming season of love.

Participants came from Ukraine, Bangladesh, India (Panjab and Manipur), Philippines, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Italy, and Thailand.

Other activities such as performances related to cultural exchange are also held beginning on January 15 and running through January 25; during which artists, musicians, and performers from different corners of the globe strut theis stuff on stage. Thai performers, meanwhile, present local Thai plays at the event to promote the culture and tourism in Surin.

-- NNT 2013-01-22