Thailand Live Wednesday 30 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 Tuesday 29 Jan 2013

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POLITICS

Grassroots red-shirt rally puts govt in tricky spot

Attayuth Bootrsripoom

The Nation

A demonstrator wears a symbolic chain tied to his neck and wrists during a rally yesterday outside Government House, which was led by red-shirt intellectuals calling for the release of red protesters from prisons.

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday's rebel red-shirt protest caught many political observers by surprise. The rally drew a little over 1,000 people and had failed to get the blessing of the movement's leaders, but it will likely put the government in an awkward position.

Full story:

CRIME

Row over top cop on national park hunting trip

THE NATION

AN IMAGE, taken from a camera seized from a group of nine suspected poachers in Kaeng Krachan National Park on November 10 last year, shows Pol Lt Col Theerayuth Katemangmee, right in red T-shirt, eating with colleagues at a reported hunting camp.

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday asked authorities to revoke the permits for eight guns seized from nine men, including Pol Lt Colonel Theerayuth Katemangmee, |suspected of killing wildlife for food in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi last November.

Full story:

POLITICS

Red shirts leave Chalerm red-faced

Atapoom Ongkulna,

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

Deputy PM pressured over an amnesty for all 'political prisoners'

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung found himself in an awkward situation yesterday when red-shirt protesters cornered and pressured him in front of the Government House to give a promise on a formal amnesty.

Full story:

ENVIRONMENT

Trapped blue whale swims free

The Nation

TRANG: -- A whale, trapped in shallow water at Koh Libong in Trang's Kantang district last Friday and struggled for three hours before swimming to freedom, has been identified as a blue whale (balaenoptera musculus). The 10-metre-long creature is estimated to have weighed two tonnes.

Dr Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong from the Phuket Marine Biological Center said it's the first time a blue whale has been spotted in Thai waters. Ordinarily, they inhabit the Antarctic and the animal's presence in the tropics might suggest there was some problem with the food supply around the South Pole, causing the whale to migrate north.

One of the largest animals to have ever existed, blue whales can grow up to 30 metres and weigh as much as 170 tonnes. They survive primarily on a diet of small crustaceans known as krill.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

EDITORIAL

Pouring money into a bottomless pit of corruption

The Nation

Annual losses due to graft and illegal economic activities could already have put Thailand well on the way to becoming a developed nation

Full story:

STOPPAGE TIME

Divided Democrats paying the price in city race

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- If last week's polls are reliable, the Democrats have approximately a month to rescue their city gubernatorial campaign that seemed doomed even before it really got started. That Sukhumbhand Paribatra is trailing Pheu Thai's Pongsapat Pongcharoen should not have come as a surprise; what's boggling minds is why the opposition camp put most, if not all, its eggs in the Sukhumbhand basket in the first place.

Full story:

Press coverage of charter issue 'reflects the political divide'

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Reporting on the charter-amendment issue in local newspapers has been largely critical of the plan and presented as a dramatic narrative, with front-page headlines openly attacking the government and stories adopting satirical language and labelling, a study on six Thai newspapers has found.

Full story:

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

Kosit plans fresh markets, food stalls

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Kosit Suwinijjit, an independent candidate, yesterday proposed a 24-hour fresh market should be built for each Bangkok district. He said fresh markets should also have escalators for aged people.

He said local communities would be sounded out about roadside vending stalls. If the communities support the stalls, they would become permanent. If not, the city would build markets for the vendors. The markets could be run by the city administration or private firms.

Sukhumbhand offers new deal for disabled

Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday wooed support from the disabled, promising to adjust sidewalks to support people confined to wheelchairs and vowing to install traffic lights with voice notification for the blind. He said if re-elected, he would increase the number of taxis for the disabled to 100 cars.

He said the city under his administration had installed Braille signs in BMA hospitals.

Career training centres would teach at least 200,000 disabled people during the next four years.

He said he would increase the number of elevators for BTS Skytrains from 11 elevators to 100. The city administration would spend Bt639 million on the elevator construction, which would be done in 2014.

Pongsapat's ideas on garbage, fire services

Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen yesterday proposed that small garbage-disposal plants be built for each community. He said the plants would sort recycled garbage and he would ensure city garbage collectors worked on an around-the-clock basis.

Pongsapat said if he is elected, he would increase efficiency of fire engines, and would urgently purchase helicopters for fire-extinguishing operations. He would also increase the number of fire fighters and equipment to fight fires in high-rise buildings.

At 4pm today, Pongsapat will reveal eight of his policies to the Pheu Thai Party.

Suharit plans first rally

Independent candidate Suharit Siamwalla yesterday urged supporters to attend his first campaign speech on Friday.

Suhart posted on Facebook that he would give a campaign speech at the Dancing Hall of Lumpini Park from 6 to 8pm.

He urged supporters to print their own T-shirts with the wording "Vote Suharit 17" to wear at the rally. He plans to stage a 1-million-step march as an appeal for one million votes from Bangkok residents.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

Police step up watch on shelters

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- To prevent Rohingya illegal immigrants fleeing shelters in the South in order to stay or work in Thailand illegally, police have been instructed to guard them around the clock, a senior officer said yesterday.

Pol Colonel Surachet Hakphal was referring to intelligence reports that Thai and Rohingya agents, disguised as visitors or donors, had approached the migrants and tried to convince them to escape from the shelters in order to work illegally in Thailand, likely using the Bt300 daily minimum wage as an incentive.

More than 1,300 Rohingya are residing temporarily in numerous shelters in several southern provinces. At all shelters, non-Thai visitors will be especially carefully monitored and required to register, the officer said.

Meanwhile, a boat carrying 205 Rohingya entered Thai waters off Phuket yesterday, but the group said they were heading for Malaysia. Thai Marine Police gave them fresh water and food supplies before towing the boat out of Thai waters.

In a related development, a local politician based in Songkhla has contacted police to arrange his surrender to face changes of unlawfully sheltering and detaining Rohingya who entered Thailand illegally.

Police said Prasert Lemlae, a deputy mayor of Padang Besar municipality in Sadao district, and Myanmar national Jama Nadin would likely be released on bail, assuming they turn up today at Padang Besar police station to face both charges. A third suspect for whom an arrest warrant was issued, Saroj Kaewmanee, turned himself in to police last Thursday and has been released on bail.

The officer, a deputy provincial police chief, said the temporary release of both Prasert and Jama was possible because the allegations against them do not include trafficking. "Human trafficking is a crime for which release is not permissible, but there is no evidence indicating human trafficking," he said.

At a meeting of the Thai-Malaysia joint working committee in Hat Yai district yesterday, Fourth Army Area chief Lt-General Udomchai Thammasarojrat said panel members from both countries agreed that the problem of illegal Rohingya migration was not new, and was not solely the problem of either country.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

King has low fever and knee pain, been advised to rest

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty the King has had occasional low fever, and taken less foods intakes, and now been given medications and asked to refrain from royal duties, said the 59th Royal Household Bureau statement, released last night.

The King reported pains in both knees just yesterday, and the royal physicians found that they had swollen. An examination and a blood test later show no signs of bacterial infection at the knees before medications have been administered.

The low fever has persisted for about a week and the King has experienced a bit weakness. The King reported no pains at other body parts. Previous examinations showed regular rates of heartbeats and blood pressure. A chest examination also showed no signs of irregularities, said the statement, quoting the royal physicians.

The monarch has still shown signs of a bit weakness and eaten less, and as a result, the physicians have advised him to refrain from duties until further notice, said the statement.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

Wealthy countries should pay more for lifesaving drugs: Mahidol Awardee

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Rich countries should pay more for new drugs and poor countries less - to enable pharmaceutical firms to help people in developing countries get easier access to life-saving drugs, according to one recipient of this year's Prince Mahidol Award.

Full story:

Health plan operators face squeeze

ANAPAT DEECHUAY,

PUANGCHUMPOO PRASERT,

DUANGKAMON SAJIRAWATTANAKUL

THE NATION

Ministry says current payments don't reflect actual costs

BANGKOK: -- Financial pressure is growing on the providers of the country's three main healthcare schemes in the wake of the Public Health Ministry's decision to adjust medical-service fees at state hospitals across the country.

Full story:

Three busted for meth in Rayong

The Nation

RAYONG: -- One Thai man and two Malaysian men were arrested with 30 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine or "ice" worth Bt90 million in a hotel Rayong's Muang district, Provincial Police Region 2 chief Winai Thongsong announced yesterday.

Following a tip-off, police arrested Yossawee Kullimpapaisal, 40, who drove a Toyota Yaris sedan to deliver three boxes of crystal meth to the two Malaysians, Yao Kim Liang, 46, and Sue Mae Lung, 51. The three face charges of narcotics possession with intention to sell. Yossawee confessed that he was hired to deliver the drugs by a man in Bangkok's Ram-Indra area for Bt20,000.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

New director takes over at troubled AC

SAOWANEE NIMPANPAYUNGWONG

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- St Gabriel's Foundation yesterday named the new director of the Assumption College (AC) to control the damage following recent protests by teachers.

Surasit Sukchai took the AC helm yesterday, in line with an order signed by the foundation's chairman, Sirichai Fonseka.

The former director of AC, Anant Prichavudhi, has been suspended from duty and a fact-finding committee will soon be established.

"The committee will identify problems after which we will seek sustainable solutions," the order said.

Anant ran into trouble following his reaction to an imminent protest by teachers with an order to suspend AC classes at the time students were about to sit final exams.

AC teachers had planned the protest against him on several grounds including his refusal to increase their monthly pay in line with government policy, his alleged lack of transparency in developing the Rama II campus, and his plan to merge the AC primary and secondary sections.

AC teacher Supawadee Khamfuekfon said Anant's removal was one of six demands made by the teachers.

"The foundation has not yet addressed the welfare issue," she said.

St Gabriel's Foundation holds the licences to operate 17 schools including AC. Established more than a century ago, AC is a famous males-only school.

Sitthichai Parinyanusorn, a teacher and spokesman of the Save the AC Group, yesterday described Anant's removal as the first success for his group.

He had hoped that Surasit would be able to solve other problems at the school.

Surasit worked at the AC previously and was well known to several AC teachers.

Sittichai said his group planned to ask its members to stop donning a black bow - a sign of protest - out of respect for Surasit.

Surasit will have a meeting with teachers of the AC secondary section tonight.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

Forest put forward as world heritage site

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will put a nomination to Unesco's World Heritage Centre for Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex to be listed as a Natural World Heritage site, deputy government spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa said yesterday. The nomination, to be submitted to Unesco in Paris by Friday, was decided at the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Full story:

'Vandal' shoots cars in Narathiwat

The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- The shooting of the windscreens on 10 vehicles along five roads in Narathiwat's Muang district early Tuesday morning was likely the work of a reckless young vandal with an air pistol rather than insurgents, police said yesterday.

Security camera footage at 1.41am captured a man in his late 20s in semi-military clothing riding a motorcycle and carrying a pistol.

The damaged vehicles were one pickup on Ra Ngae Makkha Road, two pickups on Rattana Wanich Road, a car and a pickup on Maitreejit Road, two pickups on Traipop Road and three pickups on Lamai Uthit Road.

One of the vehicle owners, Premchai Prasertyothin, said car owners were worried and want police to patrol more frequently at night or allow for vehicle parking at police stations.

-- The Nation 2013-01-30

Agencies are aiming to end human trafficking

Following the media coverage of the report on human trafficking, child labour and forced labour by the US Department of State, Thailand was designated under the Tier 2 Watch List for three years in a row. The allegation has strongly affected the country's international reputation as well as causing economic harm to certain industries/products, i.e. fisheries.

As a monitoring agency for trade disruption, the Department of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, has been actively and closely working with agencies concerned with a view to solving the problem.

The Ministry of Labour in collaboration with related government agencies and the private sector came to an agreement to put together a memorandum of understanding to ensure that human rights-related rules and regulations are strictly upheld, to prevent the exploitation of child labour and human trafficking in Samut Sakhon province. At the same time, the agencies concerned also assure that proper educational channels are made available to the children of migrant workers. The police have also set up an operation centre to suppress and prevent human trafficking. Additionally, the government and private sectors in Samut Sakhon province have come together to incorporate provincial strategies.

The following activities have been carried out:

Promotion and and support for the provision of education for children, to prevent children from the worst forms of child labour, by carrying out a survey on migrant child labour within Samut Sakhon province. A survey on the children of migrant labourers' demand for education has also been made. As required, the province will provide educational support for the fundamental 12 years of schooling. Samut Sakhon has set up 11 childcare centres, a long-distance learning and educational centre for children of migrant labourers to accommodate 855 children. This provision is vital to prevent children from prematurely entering the workforce, and to prepare them for future legitimate employment.

Current aims are to: provide capacity building on child-related laws and regulations, enforcement, and encouragement for the employment of labourers; and promote the prevention and eradication of the worst forms of child labour, coupled with the establishment of an operation centre for women and child labourers.

With a large number of migrant workers in the area, a Samut Sakhon pilot project was drawn up in collaboration with concerned agencies, with the intention of systematically eliminating the threat of human trafficking and child labour by establishing a working group on proactive planning and integrated labour inspection. This will provide knowledge and promote understanding of prevention, remedy and the impact of the worst forms of child labour. Thwe aim is to impose measures keeping children out of business establishments and to provide schooling/nursery care for children with the cooperation of NGOs and provincial educational institutes.

As such, the efforts made by the Department of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Commerce and Thai agencies concerned outlined above demonstrate Thailand's determination and sincerity in alleviating the problem of child labour, forced labour, and human trafficking amomg the illegal workforce.

Department of Foreign Trade

Ministry of Commerce

Krabi police raid turns up war weapons, meth

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....r-weapons-meth/

'Many Foreigners Working Illegally', Say Thai Officials

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....thai-officials/

Narathiwat teacher protection unit ambushed in bombing on patrol; one soldier killed, two wounded /MCOT

Barking Buddha dog store in Australia irritates Thai netizens

By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: Do and Don't on Buddha

BANGKOK: -- A Facebook page in Thailand is up in arms about an Australian dog accessories store that uses “Buddha” in its name.

Full story:

Woman Impales Herself On Steel Fence At Her East Pattaya Home

PATTAYA: -- A 40 year old woman impaled herself on her own steel fence, which is designed to prevent unauthorized entry to her property, as she attempted to break-in after forgetting her front door key.

Full story:

King suffers mild fever, knee pain

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Jan 30 -- Royal physicians at Siriraj Hospital have advised His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to suspend his royal activities and rest after he suffered from a mild fever for a week.

The Royal Household Bureau said in a statement issued Tuesday that the 85-year-old king has had fever several times during the past week. He has lost appetite and experiences fatigue.

His team of royal physicians provided a daily medical check-up since His Majesty the King began to suffer the mild fevers last week.

The statement said that the monarch's heartbeat and blood pressure remained normal, as did his bladder and bowel health. His breathing, however was slightly faster than normal,

On Tuesday, the monarch reported pain in his knees when moving. An examination showed that both knees were swollen. A blood test indicated no bacterial infection, so doctors provided him with medication to treat the swollen knees.

Because of his fatigue and reduced appetite, the doctors advised His Majesty the King to refrain from his official duties for the time being. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-01-30

PM: Red Shirt demand won't cause conflict with government

By English News

BANGKOK, Jan 30 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she could not appease the demand of the Red Shirt group seeking the release of political prisoners, but said she had assigned her deputy to seek help from the Council of State on the matter.

Full story:

Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,484.31, up 5.54 points /MCOT

A warning to Malaysian men: Be wary of Thai marriages

By Coconuts Bangkok

Songkhla Province

BANGKOK: -- The Malaysian government has issued a warning to Malaysian men, implying that their marriages in neighboring Thailand may not be recognized as valid upon their return to their home country.

Full story:

Tourist Police Division adapts new techniques against crimes

BANGKOK, 30 January 2013 (NNT) - In an effort to keep up with criminals' new and improved tactics, the Tourist Police Division has organized a training session to teach officers new techniques to handle crimes and protect tourists.

The session, held during January 29-31, consisted of training on inspection and tourist protection with an aim to teach new generation of police how to handle new types of crimes. 120 tourist police officers from across the nation joined the training.

In order to catch cunning criminals or prevent crimes, police must be aware of new technology and criminal tactics. With effective crime suppression measures, the tourist police expect tourists to feel more confident while traveling in Thailand.

-- NNT 2013-01-30

British tourist who survives 22ft fall off balcony in Thailand flies home with a quarter of his SKULL in his hand luggage

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....tao-flies-home/