Kamnan Poh out of intensive care

The Nation

CHON BURI: -- Somchai "Kamnan Poh" Khunpluem was yesterday transferred from the intensive care unit to a patient room at Chon Buri Hospital's Chalermratchasombat building, after his condition improved.

A book was made available at the hospital for well-wishers to sign, and the convicted former politician and Chon Buri crime bossreceived a visit from Bang Sai mayor Kampol Wongsaithong, toting a basket of flowers. Also visiting yesterday newsjswas Somchai's wife Satil Khunpluem, accompanied by Somchai's close aid Paiboon Pansanit and the man who took Somchai to see the doctor on the day of his arrest, Winai Ponpaipal. Satil said Somchai was still fatigued and didn't talk much. Winai said he had no worries about being summoned to testify to police today (Tuesday), because he would tell the truth - that he gave Somchai a ride to hospital out of gratitude.

Hospital director Assada Tiyapan said Somchai's condition had improved, with no fever, good appetite, the ability to move around on his own, and blood pressure at 100-130/40-60 with a heart rate of 80-100 per minute with occasional skipping of beats.

In related news, crime suppression chief Colonel Supisan Pakdinareunart reported on the progress of the police investigation into those who harboured the fugitive Somchai. He said investigators had obtained CCTV footage from Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital cameras that showed Somchai wearing a facemask on the day before his arrest as he sought treatment at the hospital. Supisan said the hospital had not yet submitted records to show Somchai had registered for treatment under the name "Kim Saetang" and said police would announce progress on the case again on Saturday.

-- The Nation 2013-02-12

AYUTTHAYA

World Expo bid under a cloud amid cost doubts

Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit

The Nation

PM's Office says govt reassessing worth of investing in Ayutthaya; 'Bt30 billion needed'

AYUTTHAYA: -- Eleven days after a second inspection, Thailand has lost its patience about knowing if it might win the World Expo 2020. Whether it is being political or not, the government's decision may hurt the Kingdom's image.

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POLITICS

Amnesty for politicians opposed by senators

Khanittha Thepphajorn,

Prapasri Osathanon,

Anapat Deechuay

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Lawmakers are still divided over the amnesty draft proposed by the independent National Rule of Law Commission (NRLC) headed by Dr Ukrit Mongkolnavin.

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SOUTH CRISIS

'Curfew could worsen things'

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- While the government will determine on Friday whether to declare a curfew in the deep South, the Civil Society Council of the Southern Border Provinces said yesterday that the government's strategies should stress peaceful processes not combative ones.

Full story:

UPDATE:

POLICE

Police pair who sought 'Ang Pao' detained

PATINYA IAMTARN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Two police were detained yesterday for 30 days after they were witnessed by a Nation TV reporter trying to extort ang pao - a gift of money given at Chinese New Year - from a tailor's shop on Sunday in Bangkok's Si Phraya area.

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EDUCATION

O-net students to get 24 compensation

CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Some 400,000 Matthayom 6 students who recently completed their Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) in Science will be given an additional 24 marks due to mistakes in test papers.

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Stimulus makes SET open to foreign shocks

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation

Index could suffer 40% plunge: expert

BANGKOK: -- The government's economic stimulus package has helped push share prices up into dangerous territory and any shocks from the West or China could send the SET Index diving 40 per cent, a foreign financial expert has warned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....hocks-thailand/

STREETWISE

The Chinese are coming

Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- Over the weekend, when China and Chinese people around the world celebrated the Lunar New Year, many news updates inevitably had a Chinese theme.

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Power cables to Samui, Pha-ngan

The Nation

KOH SAMUI: -- Padung Banjongsilp, deputy governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority, and other executives led members of the press, top officials from Samui and Pha-ngan islands and the president of the Tourism and Hospitality Association to observe the laying of 115-kilovolt cables from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Samui in Surat Thani.

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Police inspector 'was part of hunting party'

KWANHATHAI MALAKAN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Deputy police chief Pansiri Prapawat said yesterday that additional inquiries conducted at the request of the public prosecutor had found evidence that Prachuap Khiri Khan inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Thirayuth Katemungmee was indeed involved in illegal hunting in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi from November 8-10.

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DSI takes action against Thana Thamthai pyramid scheme

Ekkapong Praditpong

The Nation

Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Tarit Pengdith yesterday completed an investigation into the Thana Thamthai pyramid scheme, in which up to 12,000 people living in the North were duped of about Bt30 million, while police arrested the company executives in Pathum Thani yesterday.

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Ex-senator accuses Abhisit of deceit in Bangkok governor race

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former senator Ruangkrai Likitwatana yesterday filed an election complaint against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and a Democrat MP in connection with the Bangkok governor race.

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BURNING ISSUE

Both sides to blame in police building fiasco

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

If and when police and politicians start doing deals, taxpayers should brace for the worst in wasteful spending.

BANGKOK: -- After the 2007 general election, two successive governments under Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat hatched the idea to rebuild some 396 police stations nationwide.

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Governor candidates present visions

The Nation

Policies aired on stray dogs, tourism, mass transit

BANGKOK: -- Candidates in the March 3 Bangkok governor election took part in three separate forums yesterday, promising to turn the capital into a better place to live and make it a regional hub. They also offered their views on dealing with the number of stray dogs in the city.

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Democrats tie Pongsapat to police scandal

THE NATION

Signed contract 'but denied knowledge of project'

BANGKOK: -- A corruption scandal involving a large-scale project to build police stations and living quarters - first revealed in the no-confidence debate last November - is now heavily linked to the Bangkok governor's election, with two rival parties exploiting it to discredit each other.

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Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign On February 28 Due To Old Age

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Phuket tourist carrying roses dies in motorbike crash

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Simon Ashley, a tourist carrying an Australian driver’s license, died when he lost control of his motorbike on one of the sharp curves between Patong and Karon early this morning.

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Blaze engulfs abandoned luxury hotel bordering Phuket National Park

Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Police suspect the fire that engulfed an abandoned luxury hotel near Nai Yang Beach in northern Phuket early this morning was started by thieves searching for copper wire.

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Tourism police launch 'Tourist Buddy' app to help foreigners

By Coconuts Bangkok

Tourist Buddy App

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday, tourism police debuted the Tourist Buddy Application in an effort to portray Bangkok as a safe, tourist-friendly destination for foreigners.

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,490.65, up 1.54 points /MCOT

Bloomberg News

Thailand's Baht Weakens Most in a Week on Rate-Cut Speculation

By Kyoungwha Kim

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s baht dropped the most in more than a week on speculation the central bank will cut interest rates next week to slow fund inflows that helped fuel a 2.3 percent rally in the currency this year. Bonds fell.

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Local Ch.3-TV destroyed last 3 episodes of politically-sensitive local soap opera (Nua Mek 2) which was abruptly pulled off the air /The Nation

RT @mpoppel: Yonhap: S. Korea's Lee convenes National Security Council meeting amid suspected N. Korean nuclear test

RT @mpoppel: Yonhap: S. Korea steps up military readiness for N. Korea's likely nuclear test

RT @mpoppel: REU: NUCLEAR TEST MONITORING AGENCY SAYS DETECTS "UNUSUAL SEISMIC EVENT" IN NORTH KOREA

RT @mpoppel: Yonhap: S. Korea, U.S. upgrade surveillance watchcon status

RT @cnni: The seismic disturbance in North Korea took place at a depth of about 1 kilometer, the USGS said.

RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- Kyodo: S. Korea official says N. Korea may have conducted nuclear test

RT @mpoppel: REU: NORTH KOREA INFORMED U.S. AND CHINA ABOUT NUCLEAR TEST ON MONDAY - YONHAP

RT @mpoppel: REU: UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMAT SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A NUCLEAR TEST IN NORTH KOREA

Phuket Pharmacy fined for illegally selling prescription drugs

Phuket Gazette

Prapan Kanprasang, chief of the Damrongtham Center (in uniform) confirmed that the Chalong pharmacy was selling prescription drugs when a pharmacist was not present. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- A pharmacy in Chalong faced a lot of brass yesterday as Phuket Vice Governor Somkiat Sangkaosuttirak, Damrongtham Center (Ombudsman’s Office) chief Prapan Kanprasang, Chalong Mayor Samran Jindaphol and Phuket Public Health officers followed up on allegations that the store was illegally selling prescription drugs without a pharmacist on duty.

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Ailing smaller entrepreneurs allocated Bt200 million aid

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 12 – Bt200 million will be earmarked from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Fund to assist smaller businesses which have been affected by the enforcement of the Bt300 daily minimum wage, according to Thailand's minister of finance.

Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said the allocation can be made without having to seek cabinet approval.

The financial aid will be made in parallel to existing assistance provided by a committee headed by Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk said the SME Committee, which met Monday, agreed to allocate Bt310 million to help small and medium enterprises.

He said Bt200 million will be set aside for the interest payments of 6,300 SME operators whose manufacturing costs have surged after the minimum wage hike, while Bt25 million will be spent for development of SMEs manufacturing quality, Bt10 million to create opportunities for new operators, Bt6 million for the SME clinical scheme and Bt1.8 million for SME Fund service.

Representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries, however, warned that the allocation is insufficient to relieve the plight of SME operators, but noted that the Industry Ministry will provide additional budget for the aid. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-12

52,000 Thai workers lose jobs from minimum wage hike

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 12 – More than 52,000 employees under Thailand's social security scheme have applied for unemployment benefits due to losing their jobs in the wake of the country's minimum wage hike, Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsub said.

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