Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Feb 2013

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Chula to host 'Art Access and Advocacy' forum
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Chulalongkorn University (CU)'s Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts and Osaka City University will co-host the 11th Urban Research Plaza Forum from March 4-5.

The theme this year is "Art Access and Advocacy - Promoting Creativity and Innovation in Urban Communication for the Development of Participatory and Happy Communities".

The forum will be held at Performance Hall at CU's Building of Art and Culture.

Interested people should visit http://www.urp.faa.chula.ac.th/urp/Forum_-_Registration.html for free registration.

Delivering keynote Address 1 on "Social Accessibility through Arts" will be Dr Shin Nakagawa, professor at Osaka City University in Japan. Keynote Address 2, "Art Behind Bars: Providing Peace for Prisoners" is by Dr Channarong Pornrungroj, director of the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment in Thailand.

A special event on March 4 is "Arts Access in Internal Medicine: Connecting Traditional Sundanese Musical Instrument and Internal Medicine Residency Programme" by Primal Sudjana of Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital in Bandung, Indonesia.

A piano concert by Marina Horak and Larisa Marjanovic of Ljubljana University, Slovenia is scheduled for March 5.

For more information please visit: http://www.urp.faa.chula.ac.th/urp/Forum.html or call (02) 218 4582 from 9am-5pm from Monday to Friday.


-- The Nation 2013-02-27

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BANGKOK GOVERNOR ELECTION
Candidates promise a city free of graft
The Nation


The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand hosts a special event for gubernatorial candidates to express their vision for turning the capital into a transparent and corruption-free city

Outline their policies to combat corruption in talks at special forum

BANGKOK: -- Less than a week before the March 3 Bangkok governors' election, candidates yesterday expressed their vision on how they would rid Bangkok of corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622124-bangkok-governor-election-candidates-promise-a-city-free-of-graft/

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PREAH VIHEAR CONTROVERSY
'No disadvantage' in talks with Tea Banh: Sukampol
Panya Thiosangwan,
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat yesterday met with his Cambodian counterpart at the Preah Vihear Temple amid concerns that the talks would put Thailand at a disadvantage in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dispute over land adjacent to the temple.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622125-no-disadvantage-in-preah-vihear-talks-with-tea-banh-sukampol/

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NACC FREEZES BT65M OF GENERAL'S ASSETS
Ex-senior Defence official accused of unusual wealth
ATAPOOM ONGKULNA
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday froze Bt65 million worth of assets belonging to retired General Satien Permthong-in pending a judicial review, on suspicion that they are ill-gotten gains.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622127-ex-senior-defence-official-accused-of-unusual-wealth-bangkok/

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SOUTH CRISIS
M'sia to facilitate negotiations with south insurgents
PAKORN PUENGNETR,
PANYA THIOSANGWAN
THE NATION


Photo : Paradorn

Countries' national security heads to cooperate

BANGKOK: -- Malaysia will become a "facilitator" for talks with separatist groups in the deep South, while the countries' national security council chiefs will tackle the issue together, National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622128-malaysia-to-facilitate-negotiations-with-south-insurgents-thailand/

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LOOMING GAS-SUPPLY SHUTDOWN
Egat, IEAT working on damage controls
Tinnakorn Chaowachuen,
Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation

Plan being drawn up; estates to be notified two weeks in advance

BANGKOK: -- The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand is working with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to draw up a plan to minimise disruption to industrial estates in Ayutthaya, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao from the temporary cut-off of gas supplies from Myanmar in April.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622129-looming-gas-supply-shutdown-in-thailand-egat-i-e-a-t-working-on-damage-controls/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Of frogs, princes and Bangkok gubernatorial elections
Tulsathit Taptim

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622130-of-frogs-princes-and-bangkok-gubernatorial-elections-opinion/

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GUEST COLUMN
A creative economy for Thailand: a dream or reality?
Chodechai Suwanaporn

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622131-a-creative-economy-for-thailand-a-dream-or-reality/

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Dusit Poll decides against exit poll
Prapasri Osathanon,
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Dusit Poll has decided not to conduct an exit poll for the March 3 elections, citing the need to protect the integrity and reputation of the institution from those who aim to exploit its surveys.

Dusit Poll head Sukhum Chaloeysub said the pollster had met and resolved against conducting exit polls because:

_ Ongoing political division and competition could cause respondents to feel uncomfortable and insecure about answering questions, resulting in answers that fail to reflect reality;

_ Concern about the safety of field officials who may be enticed or duped into committing electoral fraud;

_ The exit poll is not worth conducting since there will be a real-time vote count after the ballot boxes close;

_ The pollster has evidence that its earlier survey was exploited by politicians;

_ Pollsters must remain 100 metres away from polling stations.

Sukhum said Dusit Poll had gathered information on the election, which it plans to publish at 3pm on Sunday.


-- The Nation 2013-02-27

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Student trio arrested for cutting off rival's fingers
Monthien Inthaket
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Three technological college students were arrested yesterday for cutting off six of a 16-year-old student's fingers during a brawl on Sukhumvit Road in Samut Prakan's Muang district on the evening of January 10.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622132-student-trio-arrested-in-bangkok-for-cutting-off-rivals-fingers/

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Price of medicines may soar if evergreen patents granted
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Many medicines would become too pricey for ordinary consumers in the near future if the government allows manufacturers to extend patents under the so-called evergreen system.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622133-price-of-medicines-in-thailand-may-soar-if-evergreen-patents-granted/

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Weather warning threatens more misery for flooded residents of South
The Nation



NARATHIWAT: -- Heavy continuous rain in the South has brought flooding in many provinces while residents have been warned of further flash flooding and told to prepare to evacuate to higher ground.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622134-weather-warning-threatens-more-misery-for-flooded-residents-of-south-thailand/

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UPDATE
Line phone app saves pair from russian gangsters
SUWANNEE BANDISAK
THE NATION
Surat Thani

SAMUI: -- One short message on the popular Line smart phone application is credited with saving the lives of two Russian bar owners on Koh Samui after they were kidnapped by Russian gangsters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622017-police-bust-russian-gang-on-samui/?p=6153352#entry6153352

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Water budget inflated: senators
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Senators yesterday demanded that the government explain its massive Bt350-billion budget for flood management and prevention when Japanese advisers said only Bt100 billion was needed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622135-thai-govts-water-budget-inflated-senators/

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Slain village leader fought firms dumping industrial waste in Chachoengsao
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

CHACHOENGSAO: -- The battle against the illegal disposal of toxic waste took an ugly turn in Chachoengsao's Tambon Nong Nae this week, where locals have been fighting a three-year battle against firms in industrial estates outside their village.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622137-slain-village-leader-fought-firms-dumping-industrial-waste-in-chachoengsao/

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New reports acquits hit and run driver that killed four Swedes
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN


It was a mechanical failure that caused the car accident that killed four young Swedes from Varberg in Thailand more than a year ago.

The driver of the oncoming car has had his prison sentence suspended.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622138-new-reports-acquits-hit-and-run-driver-that-killed-four-swedes-in-thailand/

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Netherlands regulates sex industry

AMSTERDAM: -- The authorities in Amsterdam are to introduce a range of measures regulating the standards in the country’s sex industry according to local media in the Netherlands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622139-netherlands-regulates-sex-industry/

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Rogue Hotels not reporting Guest Lists to be prosecuted
By Staff Reporter



BANGKOK: -- Immigration police around the nation have voices the concern that many hotels and guest houses regularly forget to report their guest lists daily, as is required by law, meaning that the authorities are less able to trace tourists and other travelers around the nation in cases of emergencies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622146-thai-immigration-cracks-down-on-hotels/

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UPDATE

Immigration promises crackdown on hotels

By Coconuts Bangkok

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622146-thai-immigration-cracks-down-on-hotels/#entry6153603

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Phuket to get new 4-return THAI Smile direct flights/wk from Mumbai, New Delhi, KL as of late Mar.-early Apr. /The Nation

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City fathers move to cramp Phuket Tesco plans
Nattha Thepbamrung


Phuket Town residents say 'no' to Tesco

PHUKET: -- Following a year of intermittent local protests over the proposed Tesco-Lotus complex planned for Bangkok Rd, Phuket City Municipality is aiming to bring in a local bylaw that would limit the size of any retail operation in the city to 300 square metres.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622148-city-fathers-move-to-cramp-phuket-tesco-plans/

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Street Crime warning from Pattaya Police Chief

PATTAYA: -- Police Colonel Suwan, the Pattaya Police Chief, raised concerns on Tuesday about the high level of street crime around Pattaya and despite a recent crime crackdown street crime levels remain high.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622151-street-crime-warning-from-pattaya-police-chief/

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Death of pick-up driver who pulled-over on Highway in Jomtien

PATTAYA: -- A 58 year old man was found dead in the cab of his pick-up on Tuesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622152-death-of-pick-up-driver-who-pulled-over-on-highway-in-jomtien/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,534.37, up 4.05 points /MCOT

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Body of crash victim remains undiscovered for days on busy Pattaya Highway

PATTAYA: -- The badly decomposed body of a man, thought to have died in a road crash approximately 10 to 15 days prior to discovery of the body was found in a central reservation on the busy Sukhumvit Road in the Northern outskirts of Pattaya on Tuesday afternoon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622154-body-of-crash-victim-remains-undiscovered-for-days-on-busy-pattaya-highway/

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UPDATE:
Two Danes arrested in Thailand suspected of sexual assault
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

CHIANG MAI: -- Two Danish men have been detained by the Thai police in the popular tourist town of Chiang Mai.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622015-dutch-tourist-in-chiang-mai-reports-forcible-sexual-assault-from-2-caucasian-men/?p=6153888#entry6153888

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Norway to open embassy in Myanmar
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



OSLO: -- Norway is upgrading its presence in Myanmar by opening a full-fledged embassy in Yangon. The announcement was made by Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, when he met the President of Myanmar, Thein Sein, in Oslo. President Thein Sein is in Norway on an official visit.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622186-norway-to-open-embassy-in-myanmar/

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School term to shift by a month to coincide with schools in ASEAN

BANGKOK, 27 February 2013 (NNT) – Schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) will shift its opening term from May 16th to June 10th of every year, starting next year to coincide with schools in other ASEAN countries.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622208-school-term-to-shift-by-a-month-to-coincide-with-schools-in-asean-thailand/

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Ex-defence official's assets seized on corruption charges
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Feb 27 – Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has resolved to confiscate over Bt65 million worth of assets from former permanent secretary for defence Sathian Permthong-in and his associates.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622127-ex-senior-defence-official-accused-of-unusual-wealth-bangkok/#entry6154139

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THAI to conduct joint pilot training with Air Asia

BANGKOK, 27 February 2013 (NNT) – Thai Airways International (THAI) and Thai Air Asia are discussing training new pilots together. THAI is also considering code sharing with Air Asia and Bangkok Airways.

THAI President Sorajak Kasemsuvan revealed that he had been talking with Air Asia group chief executive Tony Fernandes about conducting joint pilot training to suit the expanding aviation business and solve the pilot shortage problem. He said in terms of marketing, airlines are in high competition; but in terms of personnel training, airlines can cooperate to help each other.

In addition, the national carrier is considering code sharing on some routes with low cost airlines such as Air Asia and Bangkok Airways, to boost income to THAI.

Meanwhile, THAI Executive Vice-President supervising the technical department, Montree Jumrieng, said in October the technical department of THAI will receive standard certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. He said the recognition would enable aviation technicians from airlines in the region to get training in Thailand instead of overseas, which will help reduce costs for THAI.


-- NNT 2013-02-27