Kom Chad Luek awards count to '36'

Kitchana lersakvanitchakul

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Independent films grabbed the top honours at the 10th Kom Chad Luek Awards last night, with the experimental romance "36" winning best picture and the indie comedy-drama "P-047" winning best director.

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Produced and directed by Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, "36" is composed of 36 scenes, telling the story of a young woman and the fragmented memories she has of a relationship with a male co-worker on a film crew. It also won Best Screenplay.

Director Kongdej Jaturanrasmee's "P-047" ("Tae Piang Phoo Diaw") also won Best Supporting Actor for Parinya Kwamwongwan.

Singer-actor Krisada Sukosol Clapp was named Best Actor for the gangster drama "Antapal" while veteran actress Penpak Sirikul won Best Actress for the transgender drama "It Gets Better". Piyathida worramusik won Best Supporting Actress for "Together".

Channel 3 nearly swept the TV category, scooping six out of seven awards. broadcast Thai Television's "Bu-ang" won Best Series, Best Screenplay, Best actress for Siriphan wattanajinda and Best supporting Actress for Chamaiporn Chaturaput. Torakorn siripanwaraporn was named Best TV Director for "Rak Boon" while Rawit therdwong was named the Best Actor for "Rang Ngao".

Channel 5 won one award - Best Supporting Actor for Chaipol Julian Poupart in "Buang Rak".

In music, songs-for-lifer Pongsit Khampi won Album of the Year for his "25 Pee Mee Wang" while Apichai "Lek" Tragoolpadetgrai of Greasy Cafe won Song of the Year for "Mek Tai Nam" and the Best Vocal Male Artist for his album "The Journey Without Maps".

T-Bone was named Best Group for "Bone in Da House" and Supatra Korad won Best Female Artist for "Pab Rak". Chladni Chandi won Best New Artist for their debut album "Tri" while Danu Hantrakul won Best Instrumental for "Pan Fai".

Luk thung singer Chutima Larnyamo tearfully paid tribute to her late producer Peera Tribupha as she picked up prizes for her single "Jodmai Namta", which won Best Luk Thung Vocal Female Artist, Best Creative and the Best Composer for thongchai lekgamphol.

"I would like to stand on the stage to accept this award with my late producer Peera but unfortunately I just stand alone," Chutima said.

Supanat "Aof AF 2" Chalermchaijaroenkij accepted his third award for Most Popular Luk Thung Singer. He also won last year and in 2007. "Luk thung is the right track for me and I'll go on and do my best to thank all my fans," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-02-21

Thai Suspect Reenacts Assault Of British Teacher, 20, But Claims He Had Consensual Sex With Her

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UPDATE:

Man held in alledged rape of foreigner

KRISSANA THIWATSIRIKUL

THE NATION

Nakhon Si Thammarat

Police have charged a man with the rape of a foreign woman in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....r/#entry6134901

Country needs water monitor: UN

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should set up an independent water-monitoring regulator, because water and sanitation service providers are to a large extent unaccountable, said Catarina de Albuquerque, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation.

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Govt scraps plan to build Kaeng Suea Ten Dam

PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government is scrapping its plan to construct the long-opposed Kaeng Suea Ten Dam, Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said yesterday.

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Spice added to governor poll

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Attayuth Bootsripoom

The Nation

Real and fake celebrity photos, quotes used to boost profiles

BANGKOK: -- One thing is clear about the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election: people are still divided on whom they will vote for - as evidenced when celebrities and high-profile figures are no longer shy and publicly express their political stances.

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Hospitals eye patients from Europe, urge govt support

KANSUCHAYA SUVANNAKORN

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The hospitals joining Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's mission to Sweden and Belgium next month hope to explore more markets in Europe for patients and retirees to come to Thailand for medical care as well as home stays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa....e-govt-support/

Ministries hit for 'causing panic' over gas suspension

ACHARA DEBOONME,

WATCHARA PUSSAYANAWIN,

TINNAKORN CHAOWACHUEN

THE NATION

Piyasvasti Amranand

Myanmar shutdown known since December: ex-energy minister Piyasvasti

BANGKOK: -- Former energy minister Piyasvasti Amranand has lambasted the Energy and Industry ministries for causing panic among the public in light of Myanmar's decision to suspend the supply of natural gas to Thailand during part of April.

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Tortured Karen girl to undergo surgery

NOPPADOL SRITHAWEEKARD

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The 12-year-old Karen girl who suffered extreme abuse at the hands of a Thai couple for five years in Kamphaeng Phet was yesterday taken to Bangkok's Ramathibodi Hospital, where she will be admitted for surgery in a week.

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University council seeks longer visas for foreign students, profs

CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) has vowed to continue pushing for longer visas for foreign lecturers and students.

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BURNING ISSUE

Chalerm choice shows PM's ignorance of the South

Attayuth Bootsripoom

Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung

BANGKOK: -- The flare-up of insurgency attacks in the deep South has worried all sides - although 16 Muslim militants were killed in their failed attack against a Marine base in Narathiwat's Bacho district last week while the marines suffered no casualties.

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BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

Pongsapat retains lead

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party candidate Pongsaspat Pongcharoen has maintained his lead in the opinion polls as the run-up to the election for Bangkok governor moves into its final two weeks.

A Suan Dusit Poll survey conducted from February 14 to 17 among 4,393 respondents showed Pongsapat ahead of Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra by a sizeable margin of 46 per cent to 32 per cent.

However the margin of Pongsapat's lead was much smaller in a Nida poll conducted among 1,485 respondents on Monday and Tuesday, with 26 per cent saying they would vote for Pongsapat, 25 per cent for Sukhumbhand and 36 per cent undecided.

Pongsapat's popularity rating is higher than other candidates in north and east Bangkok, including Thon Buri, while Sukhumbhand scores higher in central Bangkok.

Abac Poll deputy director Tewin Inchamnong yesterday said that according to the results of an Abac Poll survey from February 8-12, compared with the Bangkok gubernatorial election result four years ago, about 2 million people would come to vote. Pongsapat would likely win with 900,000 votes while Sukhumbhand would likely get 770,000 votes.

Democrats to rally

Democrat Party election director Ongart Klampaiboon said yesterday that Democrat supporters would be mobilised for a major election rally at the Royal Plaza on Saturday.

The party is set to organise rallies across Bangkok, with participants coming together in the evening at Bangkok City Hall to hear an election speech titled "The Truth Bangkok People Must Know".

Tomorrow, the Democrats will organise two rallies, at a field near Sala Kudkoo School in Min Buri district and at Klong Chan Flat 22. On Sunday, party candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra will be joined by Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on stage at a rally at Sinthawee Housing Estate on Rama II Road.

Sopon swims in Chao Phraya

Independent gubernatorial candidate Sopon Pornchokchai, No 4, yesterday swam a 400-metre stretch of the Chao Phraya River to promote conservation measures included in his environmental policy.

His proposals to improve the quality of water in the city's main river include beefing up the public water treatment system and residential sanitation, and tightening regulations against drainage of industrial or agricultural waste water into the river.

He also promoted "Urban Swimming" as a way of encouraging Bangkokians' bond with their river.

Pledges for students, elderly

Pheu Thai Party gubernatorial candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen said that if elected, he would improve the quality of life for Bangkok school students by increasing the number of teachers, launching an online education system, offering scholarships to teachers and providing extra Skytrain carriages for students.

He also said he would establish a Seniors Club to enable community activities among the elderly, and provide elevators for the elderly and disabled at all BTS stations.

-- The Nation 2013-02-21

EDITORIAL

Tragic deaths will certainly not be the last

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Our roads are perilous because of the widespread irresponsibility of Thai drivers; when will standards and laws be enforced to prevent unnecessary accidents and deaths?

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Police identify two suspects in grenade attack in Yala

THE NATION

YALA: -- Two men have been identified as suspected RKK insurgents who threw a grenade at eight security officials who were exercising at their base in Yala's Muang district on Tuesday.

Officials said a security camera captured the insurgents, who were dressed as Muslim women, launching the attack. They were identified as Softone Sama and Usman Dokor.

Both face arrest warrants in other security cases, in one of which they allegedly sprayed bullets at Lam Mai district police station in Muang district, also dressed as Muslim women.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old security volunteer Suthep Chanwanno and 39-year-old Pinyo Kongthon were injured in Yala's Muang district when a roadside bomb exploded as they were driving a motorcycle from Bor Jed Look to Yupo.

The two were travelling with six others on four motorcycles on their way to provide security for teachers. As they arrived at the scene, insurgents detonated a roadside bomb weighing about 3 kilograms, injuring two of them.

Najmuddin Uma, an adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, suggested three measures for solving the insurgency in the South.

The first is to hold talks with all groups that have different views from the government.

The second is to adopt a policy of putting political solutions ahead of military ones. For instance, by enforcing Article 21 of the Security Act to allow suspects to enter into plea-bargaining arrangements and to undergo training for six months.

Since the government's policy is to reduce reliance on the emergency decree to enforce security, military officers from other forces should be withdrawn and replaced by Fourth Army Region officers to reduce the ongoing conflict.

The third measure is to allow locals to participate in solving problems.

Meanwhile, security officials are stepping up security in six districts of Songkhla by stopping vehicles at checkpoints after a tip-off that a pickup truck and a car have been turned into car bombs: the former is an Isuzu pickup of unknown colour and licence plate number. The latter is a Malaysian Proton car, which looks like a Mitsubishi Lancer. No details of the car's licence plate number or colour were available.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said a sustainable solution to the problem in the South would involve not only providing safety and security, but also a philosophy of "understand, win hearts and develop", as His Majesty the King had kindly advised.

"We cannot just measure success by counting the number of explosions that occur; we must create understanding and development, and allow public participation in bringing about justice, ensuring human rights and creating venues for peace talks,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2013-02-21

Upgrade to US Watch List seen

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government is confident that Washington this year will upgrade Thailand's trade status to its Watch List on intellectual-property compliance, or at least put the country in its "Out-of-Cycle Review" process so that import-duty benefits can be maintained and continued export growth to the US market is assured.

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Thailand's Got a Plan

Written by John Berthelsen

Thaksin's master infrastructure scheme is back - and it might make the country the hub of Southeast Asia

BANGKOK: -- The news that Thailand recorded the fastest growth in the fourth quarter of 2012 since the country began compiling economic data in 1993 is focusing attention on a country suddenly on the move after more than a half decade of political and economic crisis.

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Thai police issues gun to Labrador

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Women arrested for trying to pimp 11-year-old girl on Soi Cowboy

By Coconuts Bangkok

Soi Cowboy

BANGKOK: -- Two women were arrested this Wednesday for trying to sell an 11-year-old girl for sexual purposes on Soi Cowboy.

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,536.49, down 10.15 points /MCOT

American University Association (AUA) Language Ctr building declared unsafe by Pathumwan District Office after yesterday's fire /The Nation

Thai PM to visit South Korea, Hong Kong

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Feb 21 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to visit South Korea this weekend to attend Ms Park Geun-hye's inauguration as president and will later visit Hong Kong on Monday.

Ms Yingluck will visit South Korea on Sunday and Monday at the invitation of President-Elect Park Geun-hye to attend her presidential inauguration, a significant event showcasing women’s empowerment in the administration of state affairs.

Thai Prime Minister will take this opportunity to congratulate the first female president of Korea and will call on President-Elect Park Geun-hye to jointly promote the development of women’s empowerment in the region.

The Thai premier will also reaffirm the incoming president of South Korea as Thailand’s “strategic partner”, an initiative during the administration of President Lee Myung-bak, and Thailand’s intent to work with South Korea on the goal of a US$13 billion mutual trade volume in five years, as agreed earlier with the outgoing president.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and South Korea.

With South Korea’s considerable success in water management, the Thai prime minister also plans to invite the new South Korean president to attend the Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit (2nd APWS) to be hosted by Thailand in May.

PM Yingluck will also pay a courtesy call on outgoing President Lee Myung-bak at the presidential residence to thank him for his constant efforts to strengthen the mutual relations between the two countries and to bid him farewell, and attend dinner hosted by the Speaker of South Korean’s National Assembly, Kang Chang-hee, in honour of the Thai prime minister.

On Monday evening and Tuesday, Ms Yingluck will make a state visit to Hong Kong as invited by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Ms Yingluck will take the opportunity to emphasise investment opportunities in Thailand formulated under the national strategies in order to draw leading investors and financiers from Hong Kong, and will also present Thailand’s potential as the major regional connectivity hub.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance together with the Board of Investment of Thailand will hold a parallel event under the theme “Hong Kong Roadshow “Thailand’s Strategies: A Road Map for Real Opportunities”.

The event’s activities include a keynote speech by Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong on investment opportunities in Thailand formulated under the national strategies, a seminar to promote investment in Thailand, and meetings between Thailand’s executive bankers and financiers and their Hong Kong counterparts. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-21

RT @RichardBarrow: The world’s largest floating bookstore, Logos Hope, is now docked in Bangkok (Pic @weeranan) http://twitter.com/weeranan/status/304428363844567040/photo/1

Science Ministry poised to adopt new technologies into development of auto parts industry

BANGKOK, 21 February 2013 (NNT) – The Science Ministry is determined to work hard and fast in developing the country’s auto parts industry through new technologies.

Minister of Science and Technology Woravat Au-apinyakul revealed that the Science Ministry is working hard to push for the adoption of new technologies and innovations, derived from rigorous R&D efforts, into the improvement of the auto parts industry.

Mr. Woravat added that ministry will also be setting up a new national technology briefing center to promote the designing, the manufacturing and the engineering of auto parts, which is hoped to help Thailand succeed in building an alternative fuel-powered truck for agricultural uses.

The Science Minister said that most trucks used in the agricultural sector were assembled from second-hand parts, imported from abroad, and were usually unsafe.

He hopes that a successful truck design and production will benefit the agricultural sector greatly while the innovation can be exported to earn more income for Thailand.

-- NNT 2013-02-21

Thailand Will Run Out of Gas In 10 Years

BANGKK: -- An energy crisis is looming on the distant horizon for Thailand. About a decade from now, all the natural gas from the Gulf of Thailand will have been used up. Costly alternatives such as importing liquefied gas and increasing the use of fuel oil/diesel plants will cause electric bills to skyrocket.

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Phuket minivan driver hands in Russian tourist's lost US$15,000

Tanyaluk Sakoot

Mr Thatri, centre, and Mr Santi, right

PHUKET: -- Phuket minibus driver Thatri Nimnuan is being praised for his honest actions after he handed in a clutch bag belonging to a Russian tourist containing US$15,000 and a passport.

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Dutch ambassador guides reform to bring an end to scams in Phuket

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BMA: Poll counting system ready to release unofficial results by 7.30 p.m.

BANGKOK, 21 February 2013 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced confidence in its ballot counting system while hinting a plan to release unofficial results within the Election Day.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for BMA Pirapong Saicheua, on Wednesday, chaired the first official ballot counting system test at the City Hall.

The system test was performed after all election commissioners at every election command center completed mandatory training and became ready to work with the system.

Mr. Pirapong said the second test will take place on February 22 and the final one will be conducted on March 1.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary for BMA added that first system test went smoothly without any hiccup.

He stated that the BMA is 100% ready to organize the election on March 3 and that all commissioners will commence the vote counting after the ballot boxes close at 3 p.m.

Mr. Pirapong went on to say unofficial results will be available by 7.30 p.m., if nothing goes wrong.

-- NNT 2013-02-21

Army Chief orders 3rd Army Region to monitor situation, gives full assistance to US Marine injured in Phitsanulok helicopter crash /MCOT

RT @RichardBarrow: HomeWorks & PowerBuy Expo 2013 at BITEC from Friday until 3rd March. Easy access via BTS Bang Na.

RT @mpoppel: AP: South African police say investigator in Oscar Pistorius case faces attempted murder charge.