Thailand Live Saturday 26 Jan 2013

[webfact]

Thailand Live Saturday 26 January 2013

News, Bits and Tweets

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Google+: http://plus.google.com/116866638430460700577/

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 25 Jan 2013

[webfact]

THAIVISA CONNECT

Thaivisa Forum Apps for your mobile or tablet

"Thaivisa Connect" for iPhone, iPad and iPod:

iTunes App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thaivisa-connect-thailand/id492600537

"Thaivisa Connect" for Android:

Android Market

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.quoord.tapatalkthaivisa.activity

OR

For QR code just go here with your desktop or mobile:

http://apps.thaivisa.com

[webfact]

Assumption College Closes Abruptly As Teachers Ask For Pay Rise: Bangkok

Full story:

UPDATE:

ASSUMPTION COLLEGE

Director suspends classes for a week

Supinda na Mahachai,

Suriyan Panyawai,

Angkoon Tawanwong,

The Nation

Mathayom 6 students of the Assumption College write farewell messages on their classmates

Teachers claim this is in response to their demand for a discussion

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has ordered an investigation into why the director abruptly ordered classes at the Assumption College to be suspended yesterday.

Full story: #entry6052514

[webfact]

Day of protests

The Nation

Bangkok Bank employees, many of them wearing black, protest at the bank

Bangkok sees demonstrations outside college, court; walk by some 1,100 monks adds to city's traffic woes

BANGKOK: -- It was a day of protests in Bangkok yesterday, when three groups of people held separate demonstrations to air their grievances and make their demands.

Full story:

[webfact]

Yingluck, Hun Sen to discuss temple at February meeting

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is expected to discuss the Preah Vihear border dispute with her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen when she visits Phnom Penh early next month.

Full story:

[webfact]

SPECIAL

High in presentation, low in content

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, candidate No 11, left

Candidates are trying to impress the people, but not telling them much about what they'll do, say marketing gurus

BANGKOK: -- The election campaigns for Bangkok governor are still focused on presentation rather than the details of policies, marketing gurus said. While Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen's presentation is better than that of his Democrat rival Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the incumbent governor's campaign is seen as better in content.

Full story:

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

One of the least divisive politicians leaves the scene

The Nation

These days, the country could use more politicians like Chumpol Silapa-archa, whose approach was to avoid outright confrontation

Full story:

[webfact]

Pest-control man kills half-Thai doctor in Philadelphia

The Nation

PHILADELPHIA: -- A half-Thai doctor based in Philadelphia was assaulted and burned to death by an exterminator in an attack on Monday that started with an argument, US-based ABC News reported yesterday.

Full story:

[webfact]

Checkpoint at Lipe Island near Malaysia planned

Chidchanok Mahabphla

The Nation

Satun

SATUN: -- Panu Uthairat, deputy permanent secretary for the Interior Ministry, yesterday voiced full support for the proposal that a temporary border checkpoint be set up on Satun's Lipe Island. "It will be good for tourism," Panu said.

Lipe is close to Malaysia's Langkawi island, also a famous tourist destination, and a checkpoint between the two countries at that point would help the South enjoy a boost in tourism, Panu said.

Panu was speaking after he held a meeting with Satun Governor Nuachai Jira-apirak and relevant officials.

"I will present this proposal to the interior minister and will urgently push for the setting up of a temporary border checkpoint on the island," he said.

Panu added that he believes the checkpoint might be opened as early as March.

Nuachai agreed that setting up a checkpoint would boost tourism in Satun and also help officials ensure the safety of tourists.

"I also plan to install a closed-circuit television system," he said.

Panu said that with a border checkpoint, Lipe island would have a higher number of officials on duty, which might help cut down on several problems, especially crime.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[webfact]

Tourism plays role in Buri Ram development plan

The Nation

BURI RAM: -- Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan yesterday unveiled a campaign to promote tourism to Prasat Hin Phanom Rung in Buri Ram as part of a wider plan to develop the province and boost border trade with Cambodia.

Prasat Hin Phanom Rung is an ancient Khmer temple complex built in the 10th to the 13th centuries.

Charupong said the plan to develop Buri Ram would support agriculture and tourism. Otop products such as silk cloth would be promoted for trade at the Cambodian border.

The aim is to develop trade and investment in order to fund the development of catchment areas to assist the province's drought-hit agriculture sector.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over a meeting to discuss development plans for the province. She urged that ways be found to improves the income of local people and that residents work in harmony for the benefit of the country.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[webfact]

Car of slain teacher found in Tak Bai

The Nation

Police officers and members of the bomb squad yesterday inspect the Nissan sedan that was robbed from a teacher who was shot dead in his school in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- The Nissan sedan stolen by insurgents after they shot dead a teacher in Narathiwat's Bacho district on Wednesday was discovered in Tak Bai district yesterday.

Chonthee Charoenchon, 51, died from two gunshots to his head at the school canteen during lunch, in the vicinity of up to 300 students. The killers, arriving on two motorcycles, entered the campus in the guise of being parents.

After Chonthee was shot, the attackers snatched his keys and made off with the victim's Nissan sedan.

In the wake of the killing, the teachers' network decided to get all 378 schools in Narathiwat province to close yesterday until Monday.

Meanwhile, police found the stolen car in a forested area in tambon Praiwan at about 1pm after a tip-off.

The bomb squad spent about 20 minutes inspecting the car before forensics officials took over to look for fingerprints.

Police believe the car was left there for the insurgents to use in a car-bomb attack.

A security camera in Yi-ngor district also captured images of the car.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[webfact]

District head's decision biased, unfair: park chief

The Nation

PHETCHABURI: -- The chief of Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi lodged a complaint with provincial authorities yesterday, accusing the district chief of being biased, unfair and unprofessional in his decision to not indict a senior policeman for illegal poaching.

Full story:

[webfact]

Army launches trial of digital terrestrial TV broadcasts

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- TV5 launched a trial digital terrestrial TV broadcasting service in greater Bangkok Friday, marking the 55th anniversary of the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station.

Lt-General Chatchai Sarikulya, president of Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station, said the station would invest Bt60 million on this trial operation, which also covered other provinces within a 100-kilometre radius from Bangkok. The budget will be used for a new digital transmitter, 1,000 digital set-top boxes for a sample audience, and transmission cost.

The digital terrestrial TV signal will be transmitted from Thai Public Broadcasting Service's facilities from the rooftop of Baiyoke Sky Tower.

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[webfact]

Pongsapat leads opinion poll by slight margin

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pheu Thai Party's gubernatorial candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen is slightly ahead of his arch-rival, Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra, in approval ratings, a survey has found.

Full story:

[webfact]

Seven more contenders join the fray

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Seven more candidates joined the race for Bangkok governor yesterday, the last of the five days for candidate registration, raising the number of candidates to 25.

City clerk Ninnart Chalitanon said the Bangkok Election Committee would need about a week to verify the qualifications of the 25 candidates and would announce the final list on February 1.

She said the list of eligible voters would be announced on February 5.

Sukhum Wongprasit, who registered his candidacy on the last day and got No 19, proposed that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration be split into two bodies under the policy of "one capital, two metropolises".

He said the current BMA should be divided into the Bangkok and Thon Buri metropolitan administrations.

Sukhum said national government agencies should be relocated to Nakhon Ratchasima to reduce traffic congestion in the capital.

He said senior military officers should concurrently hold senior oppositions in the BMA to help tackle drug problems. He said if he were elected, he would create jobs by digging 21 more canals in the capital and build 10,000 more public toilets.

Sukhum said he hoped to win votes from some 2 million Bangkok residents who have never cast their vote in the gubernatorial election.

Krit Suriyapol, who got candidacy No 20, carried Bt20 and Bt500 notes to pay the Bt50,000 registration fee yesterday.

He said if he were elected, the BMA would ensure that city residents had a comfortable life, and the city would be clean and orderly.

He said he would ensure that the work of the BMA would be transparent and the capital would be a safe place.

Krit said he would campaign by walking from Bang Khunthien, passing Nong Chok and Nong Khaem districts, to the heart of Bangkok and would rest along the way when night fell.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Torranee Ritthithamrong aka Nuntana Weeaphol yesterday proposed the setting up a new council to monitor the work of the BMA.

Torranee, who got candidacy No 21, said the new council would be called the joint people-state council and it would have representatives from all Bangkok districts.

She said the new council would control the spending of the BMA.

She said she would not launch an election campaign and would not put up signs or banners but would leave it to the will of heaven as to whether she should be elected.

She wore a white dress with ornaments all over her body and walked with three children.

Gubernatorial candidates

25 hopefuls have registered so far and are listed according to their candidacy number below:

1. Wila Udom; 2. Waranchai Chokechana; 3. Metta Temchamnarn; 4. Sopon Pornchokechai; 5. Samit Samitthinan; 6. Sanhapoj Suksrimuang; 7. Natthadani Phubetatthawit; 8. Sumet Tanthanasirikul; 9. Pongsapat Pongcharoen; 10. Kosit Suwinijjit; 11. Sereepisuth Temeeyaves; 12. Jongjit Hiranlarp; 13. Wasin Pirom;

14. Prateep Watcharachokkasem; 15. Jamras Inthumas; 16. Sukhumbhand Paribatra; 17. Suharit Siamwalla;

18. Nannapas Kosaiyakanon; 19. Sukhum Wongprasit; 20. Krit Suriyapol; 21. Torranee Ritthithamrong;

22. Supachai Kasemwong; 23. Rawiwan Sutthiwirasawan; 24. Witthaya Jungkobwattana;

25. Kachornsak Kosayothin

-- The Nation 2013-01-26

[webfact]

Police Checkpoint drama in South Pattaya

PATTAYA: --

A 26 year old Thai man was arrested at a South Pattaya Police Checkpoint early on Friday Morning accused of riding a stolen motorbike.

Full story:

[webfact]

18 year old reports sexual assault by her Step-Father in Central Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- In the early hours of Friday at Pattaya Police Station, two women aged 18 and 20 came to report an alleged sexual assault on the 18 year old woman by their step-father.

Full story:

[webfact]

Underage Sex Workers found at Jomtien Beer Bar

PATTAYA: -- Two 16 year old girls were detained along with the manager of a Beer Bar at a popular Jomtien Beer Bar Complex in the early hours of Friday by Police.

Full story:

[webfact]

Phuket charity drive cooks up a family-fun entertainment extravaganza

Phuket Gazette

SOMETHING IS COOKING: A selection of Phuket's best chefs have dreamed up a great gourmet experience for the event. Photo: Marc Mulloy

PHUKET: -- Saturday January 26, the Royal Phuket Marina will be the place to be in Phuket for fabulous food, fun and games for the kids and superb live music.

Full story:

[webfact]

Serious stabbing incident at South Pattaya Apartment Block

PATTAYA: -- Just after 8.30 pm on Friday, Police and rescue services were called to an apartment block in Soi Tamsamakee 6 in South Pattaya to assist a resident who had reportedly been attacked by three men.

Full story:

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Have you seen this 5 year old boy? Went missing in Chumpae district of Khon Kaen. Call 0807752673 http://twitter.com/Huk_31_Korat/status/294998422828761089/photo/1

[webfact]

PM briefed on Thailand's planned defence in temple row

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reasserted today that Thailand will forge onward in protecting the kingdom’s sovereignty concerning the dispute with Cambodia over land in the area surrounding Preah Vihear temple.

In a security meeting with high-level officials, the premier expressed confidence in the government’s move in contesting the dispute, pending a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Thailand and Cambodia are required to give their respective oral statements before the ICJ in April and the ruling is expected in October.

The Foreign Ministry is in charge of supervising the Thai-Cambodian relationship at all levels, she said.

Today’s two and a half hour meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister/Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana, Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat, Veerachai Palasai, leader of Thailand’s legal team in the case, the chiefs of the three armed forces and the national police chief.

Nuttavuth Potisaro, deputy permanent secretary for foreign affairs, said the meeting was satisfactory with Mr Veerachai’s outline on Thailand’s stance and defence in the dispute. The prime minister instructed officials to work with full commitment in protecting the national sovereignty on the Thai-Cambodian border.

He said the Foreign Ministry is willing to accept feedback and suggestions from the public, especially on the issue of the ICJ jurisdiction which Thailand will raise in its April statement.

“We are confident of success in the case given the ICJ’s 1962 ruling which only touched on the temple, and not the surrounding area covering 4.6 sq km,” said Mr Nuttavut.

Thailand has followed every point of the ICJ’s ruling including removal of troops from the temple and adjacent area and the return of ancient objects, discovered in 1954, to Cambodia, he said.

Mr Veerachai said the content of the oral statement is completed except for some minor points.

Cambodia has asked the ICJ to rule on the 4.6 sq km of land surrounding the temple where troops of both countries have been deployed and clashes have erupted sporadically. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-26

[webfact]

ASTV-Manager website reports unidentified assailants shot at four news cars parked near newspaper office, no one hurt /MCOT

[webfact]

Phuket Tales of the Unexpected

By Staff Reporter

For those who have been following the Phuket tale of the two Australian tattoo artists who shot, and missed, a Danish man (who owed them money), but did hit two passing Germans who ended up in hospital, you cant afford to miss todays episode...

Full story:

[webfact]

Bangkok cops caught on camera allegedly extorting mall vendor

By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- A Youtube clip of Bangkok police allegedly extorting a cashier for selling counterfeit goods at a mall has evoked angry reactions online.

Full story:

[webfact]

PM stresses four-point national strategy to move country forward

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 26 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday stressed the government's four-point national strategy and infrastructure investment plan to move the country forward for sustainable growth.

The PM, on her weekly TV programme "Yingluck Government Meets the People," said that the government has plans to spend 2 trillion baht budget to implement a four-point national strategy, while adhering to fiscal discipline and transparency to prevent potential corruption.

Ms Yingluck said she believed that the national strategy would enhance the country's effectiveness and draw more foreign investment.

The premier has clarified that in the first strategy, the government will focus on capacity-building to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the long run for sustainable growth.

In the second strategy, the government would seek to reduce social disparity between low-income and high-income earners and provide greater opportunities for the people based on economic, social, and political equality.

For the third strategy, the government would emphasize “green growth economy” and would promote the people’s quality of life and environmentally friendly growth.

In the fourth strategy, the government would improve effectiveness in management, focusing on good governance.

The strategies would drive the country forward in a sustainable manner in accordance with His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy initiatives, she said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-26

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Fancy a new number plate for your car? “ฆฆ-9999” just went for 10,111,111 Baht ($337,735) at an auction! (Pic @spin9) http://thai.vi/XCdVaG

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Some more car number plates just sold at auction: ฆฆ-5555 ฿4,720,000, ฆฆ-7777 ฿5,720,000, ฆฆ-8888 ฿7 Million /via @spin9

[webfact]

RT @RichardBarrow: Les Miserables the movie is released in Thailand on 31 Jan but advanced showing at cinemas like Paragon Cineplex http://instagr.am/p/U74P_AA5Vf/

[Lite Beer]

Most Bangkok voters to choose governor based on policy; 17% to decide based on qualifications or party affiliation: Suan Dusit Poll /MCOT