Thailand Live Monday 28 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 27 Jan 2013

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City, National govt must work together on flood prevention

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Climate change means 2011 disaster could be repeated, experts warn

BANGKOK: -- There is no guarantee that Bangkok will not experience another flood like the 2011 disaster, given the threat of severe weather caused by climate change. Hence, water experts see the need for further preventive measures from the new Bangkok governor and closer collaboration with the national government to mitigate future negative impacts.

Full story:

Skilled labourers see daily wages climb

Thanapat Kitjakosol

The Nation

Keep Moo Road day-labour market thriving; workers earning between Bt500-Bt900

BANGKOK: -- While SMEs are crying over the blanket Bt300 wage, fierce competition in some industries and the scarcity of skilled workers is pushing the daily pay of some above Bt500.

Full story:

British Embassy expected to name New Honorary Consul to Pattaya

By Staff Reporter

The now deserted British Consulate in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- We have been told that the British Embassy is expected to name the new Honorary Consul to Pattaya very soon, after extra ordinary delays and a year that has seen the city enjoy an Hon Con, a Vice Con and then nobody at all.

Full story:

MENTAL HEALTH

Legal changes aim to help homeless help themselves

Chularat Saengpassa

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

People living on streets should no longer be invisible to public: Human Security Ministry

BANGKOK: -- Nonexistent, an eyesore or a social problem? No matter how the homeless are labelled, under a new law they have become people society has to pay attention to.

Full story:

EDUCATION

Officials examine rules for investing in education in neighbouring countries

Chularat Saengpassa,

Wannapa Khopa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Officials are preparing Thailand for investment in education among Asean Economic Community (AEC) countries and to be an international hub in the region when the community is launched in 2015.

Full story:

INTERVIEW

Tackle shortage of skilled labour, says German Chamber chief

Petchanet Pratruangkrai,

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has great potential to become a regional hub for trade and investment under the Asean Economic Community (AEC); however, the country urgently needs to solve the shortage of skilled labour as well as develop its education system to ensure upper-industry growth, a key foreign observer says.

Full story:

NBTC

NBTC completes spectrum roadmap

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has completed its much-awaited telecom spectrum reallocation roadmap, but whether it will be able to implement the plan smoothly remains to be seen.

Full story:

TOURISM

Poor infrastructure impeding Samui's tourism growth

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- Koh Samui is expected to draw more hotel and residential investment despite last month's power glitch, but long-term prospects could be dented by poor infrastructure and planning, according to a market expert.

Full story:

SPECIAL REPORT

Digital broadcast to have far-reaching effects

Watchiranont Thongtep

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The new era of broadcasting is beginning with the transformation from analog to digital terrestrial television service in the Kingdom.

Full story:

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Leadership needed to calm Thai-Khmer ties

Kavi Chongkittavorn

BANGKOK: -- Current bickering between the government and the Democrat, the country's key opposition party, over the personal relationship between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra is not healthy. Ahead of the hearing at the International Court of Justice in mid April, continued squabbling would have a long term serious impact on Thailand and its bilateral ties with Cambodia and beyond.

Full story:

Fire at Grand Tower Inn leaves 1 dead, 11 injured

Noppadon Sritaweekas

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Grand Tower Inn has been declared completely off-limits by the city after a raging inferno ripped through most floors yesterday, leaving one hotel worker dead and 11 people, including several foreigners, hospitalised with smoke inhalation.

Full story:

Chilly days ahead for North

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Northerners were advised yesterday to brace for a further plunge of three to five degrees in temperature at the end of this week.

"Tourists have continued to flock in. They want to enjoy the cool weather," said Jiradej Boonmark of the Royal Agricultural Station at Doi Angkhang in the far North. The lowest reading in the North was recorded there, with the mercury falling to just 2.5C, he said.

Frost was seen on many plants in the station's compound. Another highlight was its blooms, some from flora native to temperate climates. All guestrooms at the station, which can accommodate more than 100 visitors, were fully booked till next month, he said.

According to the northern weather bureau, a high-pressure ridge from China is headed to the North and already covers Laos and upper Vietnam. The front is expected to bring rain and strong wind.

-- The Nation 2013-01-28

Tent camp offers temporary refuge

Chularat Saengpassa

Ponghon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- After having no place to call home for decades, street people now have a safe place to stay temporarily thanks to a tent camp set up along the Chao Phraya River under Phra Pinklao Bridge.

Full story:

Rohingya say hopes fading

The Nation

RANONG: -- Depression is infiltrating the Ranong detention centre as the Rohingya refugees fear that they might become forgotten people without any hope for resettlement in a third country.

Yesterday, 22 Rohingya held on charges of illegal entry were allowed to talk to reporters while receiving donated supplies at the Ranong Immigration Office.

A man said life in custody was stressful because everyone was worried about his future.

"The anxiety increases after hearing the story that two detainees in the past died without regaining their freedom and the other 13 became lame due to prolonged captivity," he said.

Their dream of starting a new life in another country was fast fading as Thai authorities appeared reluctant to settle the issue one way or another, he said.

And the overcrowded cell just made life for the Rohingya more miserable, he added.

This month, the cramped facility has to accommodate 1,390 refugees, comprising 1,184 males and 206 females.

-- The Nation 2013-01-28

Police step up ASTV shooting probe

Supachai Phetdhevi

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police will be seeking information from the ASTV Manager management today as part of an ongoing investigation into a gun attack on four of the media group's vehicles.

"We would like to know if the ASTV executives have a conflict with any particular group of people or suspect anyone," Chana Songkhram Police Station superintendent Colonel Jakrapop Sukhontaraj said yesterday.

In the early hours of Saturday, an unknown man opened fire on the four news cars parked outside the ASTV media group's headquarters in Bangkok.

"All the cars were damaged. A glass window of an ASTV building also sustained damage from the firing," he said.

He said Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Lt General Kamronwit Thoopkrajang had instructed police officers to solve the case promptly.

"We will check recordings from security cameras of not just ASTV but also others nearby. We have already assigned teams to gather information related to the case," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-28

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

Three candidates take their policies to the people

The Nation

Pheu Thai candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen carries big bags for a clothes vendor who came to shop at the Bo Bae wholesale market in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Three gubernatorial candidates yesterday met Bangkok voters to present policies they hope will win their votes in the March election.

Full story:

At least 232 killed in Brazilian night club fire

Porto Alegre, Brazil - At least 232 people died early Sunday in a fire at a night club in southern Brazil, according to the fire department,mid fears the death toll could climb higher.

Full story:

Belgium sees great potential in Thailand as Asean hub

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In March, Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe will lead a team of about 100 top businessmen from his country to help strengthen economic cooperation with Thailand.

Full story:

"Amazingly Clean Thailand" campaign comes to Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- A company specializing in food and refuse bags held an event in Pattaya on Friday to promote their product and to award those who have assisted their fellow citizens and local community.

Full story:

Thailand Records 22.3 Million Visitor Arrivals in 2012; Targets 24.5 Million in 2013

BANGKOK: -- Thailand achieved record-breaking visitor arrival numbers in 2012, crossing the 22 million mark for the first ever time.

Full story:

Thaivisa member report:

Bangkok:

Soi Ekkamai without electricity since around 2am. Massive rain during the night, not sure if that's the reason.

Just walked up the Soi to the bts and no lights in any buildings, saw generator trucks from True, DTAC and AIS on the road with cables going into some buildings.

Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,468.05 , up 6.64 points /MCOT

Italian arrested after naked Phuket joy ride

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police arrested an Italian man who stole a BMW that was left running in front of a laundry shop near Phuket Technical College yesterday.

Full story:

Chiang Mai builds cultural plaza on demolished prison

BANGKOK, 28 January 2013 (NNT) - Chiang Mai Province is building a cultural plaza on a demolished century-old prison located in the center of the province.

Full story:

Scottish tourist drowns at Phuket beach

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A Scottish tourist on holiday in Phuket drowned early yesterday morning at the secluded beach at Ao Sane, on Phuket’s southwest coast.

Full story:

15 CCTV cameras burnt in Pattani; Narathiwat schools reopen under tightened security /MCOT

Insurgents burn 12 CCTVs in Pattani

PATTANI, 28 January 2013 (NNT) - Twelve closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Pattani have been burned down by insurgents. Authorities have rushed to the scene to investigate.

CCTVs at 12 different spots in Mayo, Panare, and Palas Districts of Pattani were torched on Monday morning.

Earlier on January 14th, nearly 80 CCTVs in Yala were burned. Officials are still unable to determine the motives of the incidents.

-- NNT 2013-01-28

TCC tells central bank to lower interest rates to cope with strong baht

BANGKOK, 28 January 2013 (NNT) - In order to help exporters cope with the strengthening of the Thai baht, the Bank of Thailand must lower the interest rates, said Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Chairman Pongsak Assakul.

Mr Pongsak stated that the baht appreciation was a result of the influx of foreign capitals in speculation of short-term profit, which was not conducive to long-term investment.

In order to cope with that, he suggested that the central bank reduce the interest rates in order to slow down the inflows; so that the export sector will not be severely affected, given many entrepreneurs have to adapt to the rising minimum wage increase, which took effect at the beginning of the year.

-- NNT 2013-01-28