Bt300 daily min. wage hike could force over 50 percent of local small businesses to close in next 6 months: UTCC survey /The Nation

UPDATE

Verdict over murder of Kiwi in Thailand expected in March

By Kim Fulton of the Westport News

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UPDATE:

No bail for Phuket shoot-em-up Aussies

Alasdair Forbes

In handcuffs, John Cohen is questioned after his arrest. Photo Golf Thairath

PHUKET: -- The two Australians charged with mistakenly shooting two German tourists were yesterday (January 24) refused bail by the Phuket Court and were ordered locked up in Phuket Provincial Prison.

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Burmese dies rushing from Phuket Town to Thalang party

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Burmese man working in Phuket was killed and another injured when the motorbike they were riding slammed into a roadside guard rail at high speed near Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya school Wednesday night.

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Assumption College suspends all classes until next week

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Assumption College on Friday abruptly suspended all classed for one week starting Friday after teachers and alumni demanded the director’s resignation.

Parents and students did not learn of the closure until they arrived at the school and found the announcement in a banner in front of the school. The chaos worsened already heavy traffic jam on Charoenkrung Road in Bangrak district.

The closing was suspected to be linked to teachers’ demand for the administration to adjust their salaries. The teachers are scheduled to submit the demand to the school’s director this morning.

-- The Nation 2013-01-25

UTCC: 300-baht wage policy triggers a rise in GDP by 1.4%

BANGKOK, 25 January 2013 (NNT) - The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) revealed that the 300 baht minimum wage policy would help trigger the country's GDP by up to 1.4 percent.

UTCC Economic and Business Forecasting Center Director Thanawat Polvichai said the 300 baht wage scheme that took effect nationwide on January 1st would inject 150 billion baht into the Thai economic system, resulting in an increase of people’s purchasing power. He elaborated that the 7 pilot provinces that the wage policy has been pressed forward since April last year, would send over 80 billion baht into the labor market, while another 70 billion would be circulated in the rest of the country. As a result, the increased amount of money injected into the Thai economy will drive up the country’s GDP by 1-1.4 percent.

He said the daily wage adjustment does not just trigger the economy, but people can save up money and pay back their debts. However, he pointed out that the government should also increase the capability or potential of the labor in line with the wage adjustment, so that the SME segment can be more productive, which he said could prevent lay-offs or factory shut-down.

A UTCC survey shows that those companies affected by the wage rise are mostly small and medium sized enterprises, especially in the agricultural sector and labor-intensive service business. However, it is still too early to assess the production cost, employment and profit decline, and the number of factory shut-down for the moment.

-- NNT 2013-01-25

Army chief laments lax security in South

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha conceded today that loopholes remain in preventing violence and attacks on teachers in Thailand’s far South the despite reinforcement of state security personnel in the region.

He was referring to Wednesday’s daylight attack on Ban Tanyong School in Narathiwat province in which a Muslim teacher was killed.

Gen Prayuth said the government is accountable and must take responsibility for the fatal shooting despite the school’s refusal of security protection by the authorities.

The army chief said he informed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that the armed forces have regularly adjusted their security measures in the South where mutual agreements have been reached with many of the schools, be they Buddhist or Muslim.

Patrol police officers are on duty during the day but loopholes are not ruled out, he said, adding the management of Ban Tanyong School did not blame the authorities for the incident.

“It’s not easy to instruct 60,000 personnel from different units, including army privates, to work in unison,” he said.

To solve the southern problems, the army chief said, law enforcement is necessary while wrongdoers should be encouraged to give up and join in the country’s development. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-25

Industrial index rises for 2nd consecutive month.

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 - The Thai Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) in December rose for the second consecutive month but still remained below 100 because of concerns over the increased minimum wage and energy prices.

Payungsak Chartsutthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said that the TISI in December stood at 98.8, up from 95.2 in November, resulting from the increased demand for goods and service for the New Year festival, an international motor show event and. expanding exports.

However, the index is still below 100, indicating entrepreneurs' concerns over the Bt300 minimum wage and higher costs of raw materials and energy.

The private sector demanded the government slow down raising energy prices both electricity and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and subsidise the increased daily minimum wage for two years. (MCOT online news).

-- TNA 2013-01-25

Bangkokians want problems engaged, solved

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Solutions to traffic congestion, pollution, rising crime and development of mass transport are high on the agenda of demands for the next Bangkok governor to solve, according to an academic poll of city voters.

In a survey of 1,500 eligible voters in all 50 Bangkok districts last week, the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) reported that 42 per cent of respondents wanted an improved traffic system for the capital 16 per cent called for expanded mass transport in all areas of the city and slightly over 10 per cent raised the issue of crime and the security of the property as issues in their lives.

Other concerns included water, air and noise pollution, garbage and clogged floodwater drainage (7.5 per cent), economic development to compete with Southeast Asian countries (5.5 per cent), improved knowledge about on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), improved language skills and knowledge (5.40 per cent), and improved image for Bangkok including solutions to political disorder, homeless, vagrants and roadside sellers (nearly 6 per cent).

On the feasibility of developing Bangkok as the city to become the hub of ASEAN's AEC, 54 per cent said the possibility was at medium range while 35 per cent were optimistic that the potential is high and 10 per cent were pessimistic.

Sompoj Kannuj of the NIDA Faculty of Social and Environment Development said the poll results reflected Bangkokians’ desire for real solutions to many of the problems especially the city’s traffic clogged streets.

Commuting is one of the economic factors in doing business and daily life, but no candidate for Bangkok governor has clearly addressed the issue-- including town planning-- to cope with the city’s expansion, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-25

Education Minister says no need at the moment for border police to teach in southern provinces; urges southern educators to recommend security plan /MCOT

RT@191Thailand: Students, driver injured in bus accident in Phrae province

Greater collaboration between the government and business operators to address the impacts from the Bt300 wage hike is necessary

BANGKOK: -- TMB Analytics estimated that the blanket wage hike in 70 provinces are hurting business operators in the Northeast and the North more than those in other regions.

Their operating cost are rising by nearly 3 per cent, against 2 per cent in other regions. Phayao, Uttaradit, Kamphaengphet and Nan are the most affected in the North, while in the Northeast they are Nakhon Phanom, Buriram, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani.

"The wage hike should proceed accordingly with a review on business operators’ productivity... The government also needs short-term relief measures to ensure fast adaptation," the research house said.

Business operators are urged to focus more on product quality and reduce the costs of energy, raw materials and logistics. The government, meanwhile, should expand their access to job training as well as analysis on market competition. In particular, short-term relief measures should primarily concern the energy and raw material costs. Meanwhile, workers themselves need to learn new things to match the higher pay.

"The economic condition would be a crucial factor. Once the economy prospers, consumers and invstors will spend. This will lessen the impact. Once we can achieve a balance, the Bt300 wage hike should not pose too a heavy burden," it noted.

-- The Nation 2013-01-25

Industrialists tell central bank to intervene in strong Thai baht.

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) today called on the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to take action in cooling down the fluctuating and strengthening Thai currency which has severely hurt the private sector.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/614281-no-signs-of-speculation-as-baht-soars-prasarn/#entry6050680

EDUCATION

Assumption College closes abruptly as teachers ask for pay rise

BANGKOK: -- Assumption College on Friday abruptly suspended all classes for a week, with effect from today, reportedly in response to teachers' demand for a pay rise and to internal conflicts.

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Smuggled New Pills Could Cause Eternal Sleep

HAT YAI: -- Recreational pill users are warned to beware of potent new sleeping pills recently smuggled into southern Thailand. The pills can cause death by overdose or by consuming them with alcohol. The pills contain the drug Phenazepam or Fenazepam, which is 10 times stronger than Diazepam pills, also known as Valium.

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10th anniversary of the United Nations Day of Vesak to be held on May 21-22

BANGKOK, 25 January 2013 (NNT) – The 10th anniversary of the United Nations Day of Vesak is set to be organized in Bangkok during May 21-22. Buddhists from around the world are expected to participate in the event.

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and the Thai Government will jointly play host to the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Day of Vesak (UNDV), to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), in Bangkok, during May 21-22, 2013.

The event will be attended by thousands of Buddhist leaders and scholars from around the world. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Education and Global Citizenship: A Buddhist Perspective.

Besides providing an opportunity for Buddhists to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and final passing away-Nirvana- of the Lord Buddha, the event is also aimed at honoring the 100th Anniversary of the birthday of the Thai Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, who has reigned as the Supreme Patriarch for the past twenty-four years.

-- NNT 2013-01-25

Transport Ministry to proceed with first high-speed rail construction project

BANGKOK, 25 January 2013 (NNT) – The Transport Ministry is ready to proceed with the much-anticipated construction of the country’s first high-speed rail system between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Full story:

Phuket Police search for drive-by target 'Dannie' Knudsen

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Patong Police are searching for Danish national Dennis Mark Knudsen, 24, the intended target in the drive-by shooting in Patong on Tuesday night that saw two German tourists accidentally wounded (story here).

Full story:

PHUKET

New Zealand yachtsman dies in tragic accident

The Nation

PHUKET: -- A New Zealander died on Friday after falling from his yacht and hitting his head on the vessel in Phuket's Tha Chalong district.

Full story:

Outstanding inventors to get awards on Inventors’ Day

BANGKOK, 25 January 2013 (NNT) - The National Research Council of Thailand has announced that it will hold an award presentation to honor outstanding researchers and inventors on Inventors' Day, February 2nd.

A successful breeding of the first Thai Eld’s deer in the world by veterinarian Dr Amphika Thongpakdi and her team has won the outstanding research award from the National Research Council. The Thai Eld's deer is an endangered species. The breeding was conducted through an in-vitro fertilization (test tube). Currently, the endangered Eld's deer are found in its natural habitat in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, Huai Sadong, in Kanchanaburi.

Outstanding awards will be given to 34 inventors for the year 2012, whereas only 4 researchers on Thai behaviors will receive excellent and consolation prizes. Both award categories are to honor inventions and research projects which benefit the nation.

Every year, the National Research Council of Thailand invites several organizations and agencies to propose their research projects and PHD theses for the annual awards. The award presentation ceremony will be held on Inventors’ Day, February 2nd at IMPACT.

-- NNT 2013-01-25

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Transport Ministry to spend Bt3 billion in airport development nationwide

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 - Civil Aviation Department plans to spend a three billion baht budget to construct and develop six Thailand airports nationwide to link with transportation routes with other countries in ASEAN, according to Director-General Voradej Harnprasert.

The six airports include Betong Airport in Yala province (Bt1 billion budget to be complete in 2015), Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (Bt1 billion budget for runway expansion and construction of a new terminal to be finished within three years), Nakhon Ratchasima Airport (Bt400 million for runway expansion of 2,500 metres), Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Bt300 million budget for development to support large aircraft), Udon Thani Airport (Bt270 million to improve its passenger terminal within two years), and Narathiwat Airport.

Mr Voradej said the airport improvement is in accord with the government's policy to make Thailand as a centre to connect transport among ASEAN people, while benefits are to be offered as an incentive to attract airlines to use Thailand's airports.

He said service systems in all airports will also be improved, while passengers will be expected to spend no more than one hour at an airport, from the current almost three hours.

On a related matter, as ASEAN member states reached a multilateral agreement on air transport liberalisation, he said all countries are expected to ratify the agreement before the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) takes effect in 2015, despite some problems on the matter in Laos, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

According to Mr Voradej, more than 10 airlines have recently registered with Thailand's Civil Aviation Department for aviation business operations. The trend continues to rise, he said. Most of them provide charter flights. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-25

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Thailand Live Saturday 26 Jan 2013