Thailand Live Wednesday 13 Feb 2013

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NEW POPE

Thai cardinal won't attend Vatican conclave for vote

THE NATION

Father Dr Banchong Santisukniran//courtesy of www.salit.org

BANGKOK: -- Thai Cardinal Michael Meechai Kitbunchu will not take part in the papal conclave at the Vatican on February 28 because of his advanced age, said Father Dr Banchong Santisukniran.

newsjsBanchong, director of the Literature Centre at Salesnian, was speaking in an interview aired on Krunthep Turakij Television yesterday. Cardinal Meechai is 84.

A total of 120 cardinals from 59 countries will attend the conclave, which will select the 266th pope following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation on Monday, effective February 28, Banchong said. He said it was likely that the next Pope would not be from a European country, as the Catholic faith is growing strongly outside Europe. Among 14 candidates eligible for the February 28 selection, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana is considered one of the top contenders. He would be the first black pontiff.

Asked about the qualifications of the next and future popes, Banchong cited all-around academic knowledge, a down-to-earth character, being well-versed in news and global events, and knowledge of modern technology. Potential nominees from Asia include 55-year-old Cardinal Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who Banchong said meets the qualifications to be pope.

-- The Nation 2013-02-13

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UPDATE:

KAMPHAENG PHET

Tortured slave girl learns to smile again

THANISSARA CHAOWARITROJ,

KWANRIAM KAEWSUWAN,

THAMMARACH KIJCHALONG

THE NATION

KAMPHANG PHET: -- Sympathy and support is pouring in for a Karen girl who was allegedly kidnapped, enslaved, tortured and scarred over half of her body by a couple in Kamphaeng Phet.

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SOUTH VIOLENCE

Chalerm: Curfews possible in 'problematic' areas in South

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government might impose curfews in "problematic" areas in the South, Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobam-rung said yesterday, while Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra instructed officials to separate criminal activity from insurgent acts and equip officials with the latest technology and safety equipment.

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2010 POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Amnesty shouldn't cover my father's assassin, MP says

Prapasri Osathanon,

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai party list MP Kattiya Sawasdipol, who lost her father, Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, during the political rally in 2010, said yesterday that whoever shot dead her father intended to kill him and could not be pardoned as part of an amnesty bill.

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PM denies getting cold feet on Expo 2020 bid

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra denied yesterday that her government had shelved Thailand's bid to host the World Expo 2020, saying more time was needed to analyse carefully the likely return on investment.

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STOPPAGE TIME

Panthongtae should talk amnesty with his dad, not Abhisit

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Panthongtae Shinawatra was barking up the wrong tree. "Amnesty" is not up to the Democrats or their leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. It's up to the courage, or lack thereof, of the young Shinawatra's own father. Simple mathematics can tell you that.

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EDITORIAL

Could this be another disaster waiting to happen?

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government is about to award huge contracts as part of its flood prevention plan; is there any hope the plan will be free of corruption?

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Thai 'kissathon' aims to set new world record

PATTAYA, Thailand, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) - Nine Thai couples locked lips Tuesday in hope of setting a new record for the world's longest kiss, but the attempt proved too much for two septuagenarians who dropped out after just one hour.

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17 gunmen dead in Thai military base attack: army

Bangkok, Thailand, Feb 13, 2013 (AFP) - Scores of heavily armed gunmen stormed a military base in unrest-plagued southern Thailand, an army spokesman said Wednesday, in a major assault that left at least 17 militants dead.

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Crackdown on traffic offenders

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Worasak Noppasitthiporn yesterday instructed traffic police in each precinct to set up checkpoints and issue 100 tickets a day to motorists who break five common traffic offences.

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Sexual assault and murder suspect forced to apologise

Kesinee Taengkhiao,

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,

Atapoom Ongkulna

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police yesterday escorted a rape and murder suspect to the victim's funeral at a Bangkok temple yesterday and forced him to apologise to her and her relatives.

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UPDATE:

Security gets beefed up in Chiang Mai after terror attack threat

THE NATION

CHIANG MAI: -- Security has been strengthened in Chiang Mai following warnings of a planned terrorist attack against the US Consulate, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

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UPDATE:

Cops just chose 'wrong shop'

THE NATION

Ang pao is Thai tradition, Chalerm says, but shop-owner was Indian

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday played down the case of three police who demanded ang pao from a suit shop, saying there was nothing wrong with people giving ang pao.

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Siriraj set for major overhaul

PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet yesterday approved Siriraj Hospital's proposal to build a medical centre and improve its infrastructure in a project worth Bt4.4 billion.

The 2013-2017 project will mark His Majesty's 7th cycle or 84th birthday, government deputy spokesman Pakdeehan Himathongkham told the press yesterday.

He said the hospital faced severe problems due to old infrastructure and buildings, narrow lanes and inadequate green areas. For instance, the buildings in which patients are admitted and treated stand alongside a very crowded, noisy street, and traffic jams on this street hamper medical staff from providing emergency medical care.

In order to tackle this problem, Siriraj has come up with a four-phase plan to build a new medical centre and improve existing infrastructure. Pakdeehan said 15 buildings in a 17-rai area need to be improved. The hospital stands on a 110-rai plot of land.

As part of the first phase, the hospital will build a medical centre and stop using three buildings that are about 50 years old, he said.

Pakdeehan went on to say that the hospital aimed to provide holistic medical service by bringing together more specialists. It will also coordinate and manage its resources more effectively so it can provide better service.

Siriraj has 2,400 beds and takes care of 87,000 in-patients and 3 million out-patients a year.

-- The Nation 2013-02-13

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TREASURY VIEW

Strong baht presents both problems and opportunities

Padej Piroonsit

BANGKOK: -- In recent weeks, the baht has surged against the US dollar. The greenback hit a low of 29.60 and bounced back to trade around 29.70. The rapid movement prompted Thai policy-makers and exporters to voice concern about the negative impact of the strong currency. Some said the Bank of Thailand should lower interest rates to slow or stem capital inflows. Some support some kind of capital control.

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Thailand claims world record in mass hula-hooping

BANGKOK: -- Thailand on Tuesday claimed the Guinness world record in mass hula-hooping, pipping Taiwan from the coveted title.

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Gasohol takes over in Phuket

Tanyaluk Sakoot

A motorcyclist fills up with the new fuel.

PHUKET: -- Stocks of 91-octane gasoline on Phuket are rapidly disappearing as filling stations around the island comply with government policy to phase out pure gasoline 91 and replace it with gasohol – a mixture of gasoline with ethylene produced from vegetable matter.

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Coca-Cola drinking 'linked to New Zealander's death'

INVERCARGILL: -- Drinking large quantities of Coca-Cola was a "substantial factor" in the death of a 30-year-old woman in New Zealand, a coroner has said.

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Haze problem in the North remains worrisome; water supply in Kalasin to last just 2 months

CHIANG RAI, 13 February 2013 (NNT) – Several areas in the North have begun to encounter smog caused by forest burning. Meanwhile, the Governor of Kalasin province is pleading residents to save water, given existing water supply will be sufficient for just two months.

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IBank to ask for 13 billion baht capital and 3 years to manage bad debt

BANGKOK, 13 February 2013 (NNT) – The Islamic Bank of Thailand is preparing to ask the Finance Ministry for an additional 13 billion baht in capital increase and another 3 years to manage its bad debt.

Thanin Angsuwarangsi, an executive at the Islamic Bank of Thailand (Ibank), asserted that despite its bad debts, the bank had enough liquidity to maintain its operations. The bank had 14 billion baht of spare liquidity at the end of January. He also rejected reports that a large number of customers had withdrawn money from their savings accounts.

According to him, the bank has 24 billion baht worth of non-performing loans (NPL). It plans to reduce the amount by 6 billion baht this year, and solve its entire debt problem within 3 years. It has asked the Ministry of Finance for a 13 billion baht increase in capital; the increase is pending approval. The bank will also extend more loans to individual clients, under Shariah principles.

-- NNT 2013-02-13

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Thailand endorses first Palestinian ambassador to Thailand

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 13 – The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed the appointment of the first Palestinian ambassador to Thailand, Government spokesperson Tossaporn Serirak said.

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Thailand won't withdraw candidacy to host World Expo 2020: PM

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 13 -- Thailand will not withdraw its bid to host the World Exhibition in the year 2020 (World Expo 2020) as the operation and preparations are going ahead as planned, according to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....d/#entry6110053

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING NEWS -- CBS NEWS: DORNER IS DEAD

RT @mpoppel: CBS News, citing law enforcement source, says a body found in burned cabin is believed to be wanted cop killer

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UPDATE:

17 insurgents killed in Pattani clash

The Nation

PATTANI

PATTANI: -- At least 17 insurgents were killed in a gunfight early Wednesday morning shortly after midnight after scores of insurgents walked into a trap set up by the local marine unit in Bacho, Pattani.

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RT @mpoppel: KTLA-TV: LAPD source confirms body found in burnt cabin has been identified as wanted cop killer

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BMA on course to encourage city voters to visit polling booths on 3 Mar

BANGKOK, 13 February 2013 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been working hard to invite voters in the capital to visit polling booths on March 3.

Permanent Secretary for BMA Ninnart Chalitanon, on Tuesday, visited the election administration centers at Phra Nakkhon and Dusit district offices to check on the preparation for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Mrs. Ninnarat said that while all officers tasked with the poll administration are ready for the Election Day, concerns over low voter turnout in some areas are disturbing.

According to the BMA Permanent Secretary, the Dusit District saw the smallest voter turnout of 46% in the last Bangkok Governor Election, as most residents were state officers, who have been transferred to work in other areas.

In any case, Mrs. Ninnarat has urged all 50 district office executives to continue encouraging voters in their areas to exercise their right and vote for their favorite candidate in the Bangkok Governor race on March 3.

-- NNT 2013-02-13

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,499.17, up 10.22 points /MCOT

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24 hour curfew from 6 am today to 6am tomorrow imposed in four Narathiwat subdistricts, two Pattani subdistricts /MCOT

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Foreign travelers take over nearly 1,000 hotel rooms in Phang-Nga to celebrate Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, 13 February 2013 (NNT) – Hotel rooms in popular resort town Khao Lak have been fast taken by foreign travelers to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day.

Advisor to the Phang-Nga Tourism Association Praprut Khorpetch said that the tourism industry in Phang-Nga looks set to be exciting again after the latest information confirmed that nearly 1,000 rooms at hotels and resorts across the city, or about 90% of the total number of rooms available, have been booked for Valentine’s Day.

Mr. Praprut stated that more and more tourists, who are couples, have decided to spend their time in the resort town of Khao Lak to enjoy the festival of love.

He added that Phang-Nga has become particularly popular among traveling couples on Valentine’s Day because of the various outdoor activities the city’s beautiful beaches and water has to offer.

-- NNT 2013-02-13

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Unilever to invest more in Thailand

BANGKOK, 13 February 2013 (NNT) - The multinational consumer goods giant Unilever is preparing to increase its investment in Thailand by 2.8 billion baht on confidence that domestic consumption will continuously expand.

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