Thailand Live Monday 18 Feb 2013

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Arwut, designer of royal funerals, passes away

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A prominent craftsman in the classical Thai arts, Air Vice Marshal Arwut Ngernchooklin, who was the chief designer in charge of the last three grand royal funerals, passed away yesterday morning of liver cancer. He was 70.

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His funeral, held at Wat Debsirin in Bangkok, was granted full honours with an octagonal urn.

The service is under the seven-day patronage of Their Majesties the King and Queen and members of the Royal Family from today. The date of cremation has not yet been scheduled.

The Royally hosted bathing ritual was held yesterday.

Arwut was in charge of three grand royal funerals - for HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra the Princess Mother in 1996, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana in 2008, and HRH Princess Bejaratana in 2012. He was honoured as a National Artist in Architecture in 1998.

Born on March 22, 1942, Arwut served in the Royal Thai Air Force as a designer for nine years, holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant, after his graduation from Silpakorn University. He later worked at the Fine Arts Department until he became the director-general in 2001, and served an extra year as a special expert on classical Thai arts for another year.

He carried his military rank even after leaving the Air Force and was promoted honourably in parallel with his civilian career, to his final rank of Air Vice Marshal.

-- The Nation 2013-02-18

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Pakistani Brother In Law suspected of Thai Woman's Murder in Pattaya

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....der-in-pattaya/

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UPDATE:

UK cyclist couple killed in crash

The Nation

A British couple cycling around the world were killed in a crash in Thailand.

Full story:

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A 'hidden agenda' in gas-supply

SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE,

JINTANA PANYAARVUDH

THE NATION

Govt stoking fears of power crisis to boost plan for plants in South: critics

BANGKOK: -- The government has hijacked the public’s concerns over energy supplies in the coming hot season as part of a hidden agenda to build more environmentally unfriendly power plants in the South, conservationists said yesterday.

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No consensus on scope of amnesty law

Political Desk

The Nation

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Panic in Pattani city after spate of bombs

THE NATION

Two killed, 12 hurt by explosive devices late Saturday and yesterday

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Nation Group raising Bt2 bn for digital TV

The Nation

NMG's 2012 profit jumps 87%, set to be a 'game changer'

BANGKOK: -- Nation Group's three companies will mobilise more than Bt2 billion in new funds to participate in the country's first digital TV auction, and to finance new expansions that will position the group as a "game changer" in the fast developing media landscape.

Nation Multimedia Group Plc (NMG), Nation Broadcasting Corporation Plc (NBC) and Nation International Edutainment Plc (NINE) have notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand of their respective recapitalisation plans, which will see new shares and warrants issued.

NMG, the group's parent company, also announced an 87-per-cent jump in the 2012 net profit to Bt191.3 million. Revenue last year rose 11 per cent to Bt3.1 billion.

Suthichai Yoon, NMG's chairman, said in a statement that the group plans to bid for digital TV licences which the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) is scheduled to roll out in the next few months as part of the liberalisation of the airwaves.

NMG will bid for a 'variety' channel, NBC for a 'news' channel and NINE for a 'kids' channel, said Suthichai, who also noted that NBTC has yet to announce precise terms and conditions on this historic move.

"We are preparing for all possible options. The game is changing and we intend to be one of the game changers," he said.

In preparing for the new media landscape, Nation Multimedia Group Plc's board of directors approved at a meeting last Friday to raise capital to 3,377 million shares (par Bt0.53). A total 1,647.74 million new shares will be issued to existing shareholders at the ratio of one current share to one new share, at a price of Bt1. At full subscription, this means fresh capital of Bt1.65 billion.

New share subscribers will also be offered one 5-year warrant per one new share, priced at Bt1. To strengthen the group's human resources through new incentives, a 5-year employee stock option scheme (ESOP) will be launched to offer shares to employees at Bt1 apiece. The plan is subject to the approval of shareholders, who will convene on April 25.

Meanwhile, MAI-listed Nation Broadcasting Corporation Plc's board of directors last Friday approved raising capital to 541 million shares by selling 353.74 million new shares to existing shareholders at a ratio of one old share to two new shares, at Bt3 apiece. This will mean fresh capital of Bt1.06 billion at full subscription. New share subscribers are also offered one 5-year warrant for every two new shares invested, with an exercise price of Bt3 apiece. Likewise, employees are entitled to a 5-year ESOP program, but at Bt3 apiece.

Meanwhile, MAI-listed Nation International Edutainment Plc's board of directors approved raising capital to 174.25 million shares. A total 85 million new shares are issued to existing shareholders at a 1:1 ratio for Bt4 apiece. This will generate fresh funds of Bt340 million. Each new share subscriber is offered one 5-year warrant to one share subscribed, with an exercise price of Bt4. Employees of NINE are also entitled to a 5-year ESOP program, able to buy shares at Bt4 apiece. In total, the three companies will mobilise up to Bt2.1 billion, the biggest fund mobilisation by the 42-year-old Thai media group.

Duangkamol Chotana, president of the Nation Multimedia Group Plc, said NMG stands ready to support capital increases by its two other listed subsidiaries to the full. With extensive experience and expertise in both print and broadcast media the group aims to play a role in the new media landscape that will be reshaped by the launch of digital television. NBTC plans to issue licenses for as many as 48 digital TV channels through a bidding process.

"Digital TV is the new big thing that everyone in the broadcast industry has been waiting for. It marks the turning point of the television industry, ending more than four decades of state monopoly of the airwaves. Nation Group is ready to join the new playing field," she said.

Sermsin Samalapa, NMG's vice chairman, expressed confidence that the three listed Nation Group companies will perform well and provide good returns to long-term shareholders. The Nation Group currently operates 5 satellite and cable TV stations - Nation Channel, Krungthep Turakij TV, Kom Chad Luek TV, Kid's Zone and Rama Channel.

Adisak Limprungpatanakij, president of Nation Broadcasting Corporation, said the group's broad range of content, from news and current affairs to children and family programmes, demonstrate its potential to move into free digital TV both as operator and content provider.

The NBTC has yet to decide on the auction criteria and the limit on cross-holdings of digital commercial TV channels that will be offered in three categories - news and current affairs, variety, and children and family programs. Adisak reaffirmed that as long as the bidding process is fair the group has the needed funds, as well as the editorial and technical expertise to operate any categories of the new digital TV channels.

Sivaporn Chomsuwan, president of NINE, said the initial launch of Kid Zone satellite TV has been enormously successful and the digital TV bid would put the channel on a firm footing in line with Thailand's needs for quality TV content for young audiences.

Nation Group will hold an open-house session at 2pm tomorrow for stock analysts and investors to ask questions about the group's media landscape and the plan to invest in new digital TV. The question-and-answer session will be held at Nation Group headquarters at KM 4.5 on Bang Na-Trat Road. Reservations can be made at 02-338 3291-2.

-- The Nation 2013-02-18

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INTERVIEW

Farmland zoning could cause cuts to costly crop subsidies

Chularat Saengpassa,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

What crop is the best choice for this drought-stricken area?

BANGKOK: -- Annual losses of more than Bt100 billion from the rice-pledging scheme, the ongoing Bt45-billion programme to shore up rubber prices, or the Bt30-billion corn subsidies for this year: All these could be narrowed, if not abolished, thanks to farmland zoning.

Full story:

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ENERGY

Energy conservation campaign planned

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An energy austerity campaign is likely to be launched some time close to April, when Myanmar will temporarily stop supplying natural gas needed for electricity production in Thailand due to regular maintenance work. The campaign is needed to cope with the peak electricity consumption period in Thailand, an Energy Regulatory Commissioner said yesterday.

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CAMPUS UPDATE

How to save a life: give an organ

SUPHAWAN MADAN

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Every five minutes, another name is added to the organ transplant waiting list. This has caused a large gap between the donors and the wait-listed patients.

The 'Give Life Through Love' project has increased public understanding about the Organ Donation Center (ODC) under the Thai Red Cross Society, and a lot of misconceptions about donating the organs have been cleared up.

People who've considered donating their organs but have not had a chance to do so were provided with full details of the whole process. The details gave them a different insight about organ donating in a positive way.

The project has implemented different activities and there have now been nearly 100 donor cards filled out.

The project runs from December 2012 to February 2013. It aims to educate and persuade more people to register as a donor and reduce their fear about organ donating via social media such as Facebook and Instagram.

At Chamchuri Square, passers-by were told about organ donation. Subjects such as transplantation, brain death, and experience of the recipients who have been through the transplantation process were shared with the public.

Every week an interview clip with a doctor is uploaded via Facebook and YouTube. These clips share facts about organ donation, experiences doctors have had concerning organ donation and to clear any misconceptions the public has regarding donating.

Other activities included a slogan contest for ODC. Famous celebrities in Thailand were given the project's T-shirt to wear and upload on their Instagram under the Celeb-stagram activity to reach young adults.

This project has been created by students from Assumption University, Albert Laurence School of Communication Arts in the Public Relations Department in cooperation with ODC.

Organ donation is a great merit and is highly praised. Keeping that in mind, the projects also aim to get Thai people to sign the donor card and donate their organs to help save a life. If you would like to show your support you can start by following "Give Life Through Love" page on Facebook.

-- The Nation 2013-02-18

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Tony Sheridan dies

Tony Sheridan performing live, November 2004

File photo, source: wikipedia.org

HAMBURG: -- Tony Sheridan, a musician who was mentor to the legendary Beatles, has died in Hamburg at the age of 73.

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New appeal to find missing British tourist

KOH PHANGAN: -- It's almost five years since English tourist Daniel Hall went missing while backpacking in Thailand. He was last seen on Koh Phangan in 2008.

Danny Hall. Photo: BBC Crime Watch

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State Railway of Thailand to push ahead "Makasan Complex" mega-project

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@KristieKenney: Offices @USEmbassyBKK are closed today (Feb 18) in honor of US Presidents Day holiday. We're always open on line.

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5 districts of Lamphun province declared as drought disaster zone; dust levels in Lampang, Phrae exceed safe level /The Nation

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Russian accused of shoplifting from Central Festival Pattaya Beach

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Travel Company Scam reported by American Couple at Pattaya Police Station

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Thai stock index opens on Monday at 1,523.04, up 1.52 points /MCOT

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Mahidol University ranks first in Thailand on environmental friendliness

BANGKOK: -- A ranking by the University of Indonesia shows that Mahidol University ranks first in Thailand, and 36th in the world, for the most environmentally friendly university.

Several world university rankings have been published based on indicators of academic excellence, reputation, student satisfaction, and value for money. But one notable ranking focuses solely on university's "greenness". It is called the "UI Green Metric World University Ranking", published by the University of Indonesia.

And according to the ranking for 2012, published this year, Mahidol University is Thailand's "greenest" university. It ranks 11th in Asia and 36th in the world, out of the 215 universities that took part in the ranking.

The ranking is based on six areas of environmental friendliness: setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, and transportation. A university will score well if, for example, it has a larger proportion of green space, a better toxic waste management system, and comprehensive public transport services to limit the number of cars on campus. The test, of course, takes into account the size of the campus and whether the campus is urban or rural, to ensure that there is no bias against large urban campuses.

Mahidol University's environmental policy is guided by the concept "a promised land to live and learn with nature". It has a policy to maintain at least 70% of its campus area in Salaya (ศาลายา) as green space.

Vice Rector Professor Suwanna Ruangkanchanaset (สุวรรณา เรืองกาญจนเศรษฐ์) said that her university has a number of working projects that helped the university score well in the ranking. These include the project to turn half of the roads in the campus into bike lanes and walking paths, a system of tram services running on NGV, a policy to encourage bike use, and "green wall" project, and a comprehensive water treatment system.

The university's environmental policies are contributed by Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, which has been offering degree programmes on environmental management for 30 years. Now it offers 67 subjects at the undergraduate level, 28 at master's degree level, and a doctorate program in Environmental and Resource Studies.

The UI Green Metric ranking also sees some other Thai universities ranking in the world's top 100 on environmental friendliness. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi ranks 38th, while Chulalongkorn University ranks 41st in the world.

Last year it was Kasetsart University, who took the top spot among Thai universities, ranking at the 44th place in the world. At the time, however, Mahidol University did not participate.

-- NNT 2013-02-18

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Commerce Ministry to use computer system with rice pledging to curb corruption

BANGKOK, 18 February 2013 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce will allocate a special budget to the Public Warehouse Organization in an effort to prevent corruption in the state-initiated rice pledging scheme.

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Deputy PM Chalerm floats new thoughts on tackling southern insurgency

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 18 – Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has made new proposals to stimulate southern militants to turn themselves in to the authorities and adopting non-violence measures under the Internal Security Act (ISA) to deal with them.

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Thai Q4 GDP growth up 18.9% vs 3.1% in Q3 2012 on strong exports,domestic demand,reducing need BoT rate cut: NESDB /The Nation

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Thailand awaits good news on Priority Watch List removal

By English News

BANGKOK, Feb 18 – It is highly possible that the United States will soon upgrade Thailand from the Priority Watch List (PWL) to Watch List (WL) after an initial positive response to the kingdom’s handling of intellectual property piracy and violations, a senior official said.

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RT @191Thailand: Tour bus crashed into a pick-up truck in Phrae Province resultiung in two deaths (ThaiPBS)

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Enactment of Hat Yai hotel bombing with suspect postponed for safety reasons

By English News

SONGKHLA, Feb 18 - The Thai authorities today postponed a police-led re-enactment, with a suspect in custody, of last year's deadly car bombing of the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in this southern border province’s Hat Yai commercial centre. Police cited security concerns following recent insurgent attacks in the region.

Songkhla police commander Pol Maj-Gen Suwit Chernsiri said Jehma Wani was arrested for involvement in the Lee Gardens bombing last March which killed three people--including a Malaysian tourist--and wounded several hundred shoppers. He had been scheduled to re-enact his understanding of the incident at the hotel today.

Gen Suwit said the re-enactment must be postponed for safety reasons as there are still violent attacks during this period in the restive region.

The latest series of bomb explosions was reported near the city clock tower in Pattani on Sunday, killing three defence volunteers and wounding about 10 people.

Last Wednesday, 16 insurgents were killed as they attacked a marine outpost in Narathiwat's Bacho district.

Regarding security measures in Songkhla, Gen Suwit said security personnel tightened security across the province. In Hat Yai commercial district, volunteer defence personnel have been deployed to ensure safety in all areas, in both commercial and tourist zones. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-18

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Abhisit calls on govt to tackle adverse effects of 300-baht wage policy, claiming policy was first conceived by Democrats

BANGKOK, 18 February 2013 (NNT) - Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged the government to come up with measures to tackle the adverse effect of the 300-baht minimum wage policy, while also claiming that the Democrat party was the first to come up with a policy to raise workers' income, but that the policy was adopted by the rival Puea Thai party.

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Thai economy soars in Q4 on post-flood recovery

BANGKOK, Feb 18, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's economy enjoyed record growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 as industry recovered from the impact of the kingdom's worst floods in decades, official data showed Monday.

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BoT introduces three measures to tackle strong baht

BANGKOK, 18 February 2013 (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has revealed three measures to tackle the strong baht, all aimed at encouraging baht holders to use the baht to buy more foreign currencies.

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UPDATE

DSI picks up Phuket land encroachment torch

Nattha Thepbamrung

Col Dutsadee Arayawuth examines an excavator found in June last year on one of the pieces of land annexed by a former vice-governor of Phuket. - Phuket News file photo

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SBPAC mulls future measures after weekend attacks

BANGKOK, 18 February 2013 (NNT) - The Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre is outlining measures to protect civilians in the South against insurgent attacks.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/620045-panic-in-pattani-city-after-spate-of-bombs-thai-south/#entry6126015