Thailand Live Friday 1 Mar 2013

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INDUSTRIAL ESTATES
12 new zones to be offered for development
Tinnakorn Chaowachuen
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) this month will invite estate operators to develop 12 industrial zones nationwide on 18,000 rai (2,880 hectares), with an expected investment of Bt27 billion.

Industry Ministry permanent secretary Vitoon Simachokdee said the IEAT's board saw the need to set up additional industrial zones, which would be divided into three categories. The first is for local and foreign small and medium-sized enterprises. This category will be established in the Northern, Northeastern and Central regions.

The second category will be the Chiang Khong logistic zone in Chiang Rai, and the third will be for industrial zones in eight provinces - Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai.

The IEAT will provide incentives such as a waiver of the authority's service fee for two years, financing for one-stop service offices covering 500 square metres and not exceeding Bt10 million for each zone, plus a campaign to draw businesses to set up factories in the zones.

The IEAT will this month accept applications from industrial-zone operators to develop these zones.

The IEAT expects that the development of these 12 zones will require 18,000 rai and cost Bt27 billion. The investment by businesses setting up in the zones is expected to be Bt517 billion and to create 212,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, IEAT governor Verapong Chaiperm said the board also approved the establishment of a subsidiary to invest in industrial zones overseas to serve Thai businesses that want to invest in other countries.

The Industry Ministry will propose establishment of this subsidiary for consideration by the National Economic and Social Development Board and the Cabinet. The consideration process is expected to take three to six months. The subsidiary will invest in Kunming and Nanning in China and Dawei and Thilawa in Myanmar.

Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk said the new industrial zones were meant to prepare the country for the Asean Economic Community in 2015. At that time, new industrial zones are expected to be spawned in the region while more foreign businesses are expected to invest in Thailand, especially Japanese companies that want to relocate their auto and electronics production bases here.


-- The Nation 2013-03-01

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ANALYSIS
Doubts over BRN chief's control of South rebels
Don Pathan
The Nation, Agencies


National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanathabutr, left, shakes hands with Malaysia-based Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) chief Hassan Thoyib after exchanging signed documents, as Malaysia

Yingluck won't rule out role for Thaksin in Malaysia-brokered talks; Najib says negotiations to be held in Kuala Lumpur in two weeks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622644-doubts-over-b-r-n-chiefs-control-of-south-rebels-thai-analysis/

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
'Don't give all power to one family'
Tanatpong Kongsai
The Nation


Ong-art

Democrat election director hopes Bangkok voters come out in full force

BANGKOK: -- Ong-art Klampaiboon, the Democrat Party election director, said he hoped Bangkokians would come out in full force to vote for Sukhumbhand Paribatra and relay the message that they do not want the entire country to be controlled by just one family.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622645-dont-give-all-power-to-one-family-thai-interview/

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GRAFT
Prof denies knowledge of ill-gotten gains
Atapoom Ongkulne,
Chuleeporn Aramnate
The Nation


File photo : Sombat

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat University lecturer Sombat Chantarawong yesterday told the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) he got involved in business transactions of an unusually wealthy general's family without knowing that these funds had been gained illegally.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622646-thammasat-university-lecturer-denies-knowledge-of-ill-gotten-gains-graft/

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BANGKOK GOVERNOR RACE 2013
Bangkok election - be the first to know
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkokians following the election and keen to know who will become their next governor on Sunday can keep up with developments via various Nation Group media outlets on multiple platforms.

This Sunday will be a big day for us at The Nation, too. Our website, nationmultimedia.com, will feature a real-time vote count, breaking news and rolling updates via "Tweets from The Nation" by Nation News (@nationnews), Suthichai Yoon (@suthichai), Tulsathit Taptim (@tulsathit), and Achara Deboonmee (@Biz_TheNation), while Facebook users can check Friends of Nation.

The real-time ballot count will be reported by our volunteers stationed at all 6,548 voting booths throughout the city, with the unofficial result expected on Sunday evening.

Thanks to the multiple resources of our convergent newsroom, we will be able to keep you up to date with developments from the moment voting begins at 8 in the morning until a clear picture emerges of who will become the next Bangkok governor.

For updates in Thai, you can visit the websites of our sister publications Krungthep Turakij (bangkokbiznews.com) and Kom Chad Luek (komchadluek.net), and tune in to the Nation Group's satellite television stations Nation Channel, Krungthep Turakij TV and Kom Chad Luek TV, as well as radio stations FM90.5 and FM102.

A strong team of Nation Group reporters in all 50 districts of Bangkok will cover events throughout election day.

The results of our exit poll, a joint undertaking of the Television Pool of Thailand, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University and Nation University, will be announced shortly after the voting booths close at 3pm. The poll will be conducted on 20,000 voters (400 per district) in all districts.


-- The Nation 2013-03-01

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RICE
Rice-pledging 'will change'
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government cannot avoid making amendments to the rice-pledging scheme, though it abruptly cancelled today's meeting of the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC), rice exporters and academics said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622647-thai-govts-rice-pledging-will-change/

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EDITORIAL
Ban on critic could backfire on the govt
The Nation

Allegations that the ruling party is trying to protect its de facto leader at the expense of freedom of speech raises again the issue of double standards

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622648-ban-on-critic-could-backfire-on-the-thai-govt-editorial/

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Miss Universe smashes pirated products in Phuket
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova joined officials as they destroyed pirated goods worth about 216 million baht in a ceremony in Phuket today, which was held to demonstrate Thailand’s dedication to protecting intellectual property rights.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622649-miss-universe-smashes-pirated-products-in-phuket/

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CLIMATE STUDY
Govt seeks revival of Nasa project
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION



Scheme useful for weather forecasts, disaster management, official says

BANGKOK: -- The government will by the middle of this month negotiate with Nasa about reviving its joint project to study climate conditions in the region, which would be useful for the country's weather forecasting and disaster management, but will seek greater input in the planning stage.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622650-thai-govt-seeks-revival-of-nasa-project/

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Efforts to protect Thai crocodiles
JANJIRA PONGRAI
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The authorities have joined forces with the private sector to conserve Thai crocodiles (C.siamensis) whose population in the wild is now only 200.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622651-efforts-to-protect-thai-crocodiles/

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Surapong to give US report on human trafficking
NANTIDA PUANGTHONG,
VISITH CHUANPIPATPONG
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul will today submit a report to the US on Thailand's progress in curbing human trafficking in the hope it will prevent Thailand falling to the lowest, Tier-3, ranking in the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. A drop from last year's ranking of 2.5 could affect Thai exports to the US.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622653-surapong-to-give-u-s-report-on-human-trafficking-thailand/

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Retrial sought in drug conviction
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A retrial is being sought for a man serving a life sentence on drug charges after new evidence in his favour was looked at by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

In her written statement to the DSI, Niramol Jaisud said her husband Suchart was framed by fellow defendants during a trial of four men that began in 2003. Niramol told the DSI that the frame-up was the result of conflicts she had with political rivals in Surat Thani.

Suchat was initially condemned to death in two verdicts of the lower courts, and the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in April 2010.

He was implicated in a deal involving a large amount of heroin packed up in 100 sticks by a fellow defendant, Sophon Sukthaworn, who said that Suchart had paid him Bt200,000 to deliver the heroin.

Suchat's death sentence was later commuted to a life term as part of a royal pardon.

The DSI said Niramol acquired evidence that showed the heroin sticks belonged solely to Sophon and that the prosecution's testimony was made up at the request of police detectives at Phanom Police Station.

Chief justice Thawee Prajuablarm of the Criminal Court said Niramol's statement and the DSI's recommendation has been forwarded to the Court of Appeals, which will make the final decision on a retrial. He admitted that retrials and the reopening of cases would inevitably affect the public image of the entire justice system.


-- The Nation 2013-03-01

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Independent agencies get mixed reviews
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Experts have been giving mixed reviews about the role of the country's so-called independent organisations, which were set up 15 years ago under the now-defunct 1997 Constitution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622655-thailands-independent-agencies-get-mixed-reviews/

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BURNING ISSUE
Senior citizens set agenda for next governor
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok gubernatorial race took a curious turn after an advocacy group for senior citizens wanted to sway the votes to their liking.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622656-senior-citizens-set-agenda-for-next-bangkok-governor/

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Yingluck Seeks Bangkok Win as Opposition Weakens: Southeast Asia
By Daniel Ten Kate & Suttinee Yuvejwattana

BANGKOK: -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s party is on course to win Bangkok’s governor election for the first time, dealing a blow to opponents aligned with royalist groups who have held the capital since 2004.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622657-yingluck-seeks-bangkok-win-as-opposition-weakens/

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Chavez 'battling' for his life: VP

CARACAS (AFP) -- Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday that President Hugo Chavez was fighting for his life in a Caracas military hospital, 10 days after returning from cancer treatment in Cuba.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622666-chavez-battling-for-his-life-venezuelan-v-p-says/

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RT @ACSBKK: ACSBKK is in Pattaya today for consular outreach. Starting at 10am going until 2pm at the Dusit Thani Hotel http://ow.ly/i/1BsZE

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Motorcycle bomb attack wounded six in Narathiwat Friday
The Nation

NARATHIWAT: -- Violence continued in deep southern province of Narathiwat on Friday, one day after Thai government signed an historic peace agreement with an insurgent group.

Six people, including a solider, were injured when a bomb hidden in motorcycle exploded at about 6am in a fresh market in Narathiwat municipality.

Several vehicles parked near the motorcycle were damaged because of the blast.

On Thursday, Thai government signed the peace talk with Barisan Revolusi Nasional group in Kuala Lumpur. The talk is expected to happen in two weeks’ time in this Malaysian capital.


-- The Nation 2013-03-01

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Industry Ministry adjusts upward 2013 auto production target

BANGKOK, 1 March 2013 (NNT) - The Industry Ministry has adjusted upward its 2013 auto production target, mainly due to an expected rise in domestic and overseas demand.

The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) Director-General Nattapon Nattasomboon said on Thursday that the Industry Ministry has just raised its 2013 auto production target from 2.5 million to 2.8 million.

Under the new target, around 1.6 million vehicles are expected to be sold domestically, up 12.24% from last year, while 1.2 million of them, a 17.29% year-on-year increase, are likely to be exported to other markets.

Mr. Nattapon stated that the upward revision was due to higher local and overseas demand for vehicles, which drove automakers to increase their production capacities to the maximum while introducing new and attractive promotional campaigns to lure consumers.

He added that the higher production target was partly because of automakers' inability to deliver cars to buyers, who made purchases under the government’s First Car project, before the end of 2012.

The OIE Director-General revealed that around 534,000 cars, or 42% of the 1.257 million cars ordered last year, are yet to be delivered to buyers this year.


-- NNT 2013-03-01

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Finance Ministry gets tobacco industry ready for AEC integration

SURAT THANI, 1 March 2013 (NNT) – The Finance Ministry continues to prompt the country for the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, with the tobacco industry as the latest to get formal preparation.

Permanent Secretary for Finance Areepong Bhoocha-oom, on Thursday, chaired the opening of a seminar on tobacco, designed to help the industry ready for the AEC integration.

Mr. Areepong said the seminar is also hoped to elevate and boost cooperation between customs and excise duty offices within Southeast Asia, in the form of the Excise Working Group or as a part of the annual ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Customs.

According to the Permanent Secretary for Finance, the tobacco industry earns around 59 billion baht for Thailand each year.

He added it is expected that more tobacco will be smuggled into Thailand and there will be an increase in illicit trade of tobacco after AEC emerges in 2015.

Therefore, more serious discussions should be made among ASEAN member countries to shed lights on how to prevent such problems and other issues, such as the control of products subject to excise tax collection and the tax rates within ASEAN.


-- NNT 2013-03-01

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,545.36 , up 3.78 points /MCOT

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Bangkok governor race: The Thaksin factor
Tan Hui Yee
The Straits Times

BANGKOK: -- With two days to go, last-minute campaigning in the Bangkok gubernatorial election is exploiting deep divisions in Thai society.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622695-bangkok-governor-race-the-thaksin-factor/

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Thai, Malaysian leaders say Thaksin involved in peace process
By English News



KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 1 – Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has played a role in an agreement towards peace process, signed between Thailand and a Muslim insurgent group in the Malaysian capital on Thursday, according to Thai and Malaysian prime ministers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622698-thai-malaysian-leaders-say-thaksin-involved-in-peace-process/

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Ayuttaya rice farmers to rally in Bkk next Mon.following news Commerce Ministry may cut rice subsidy price from Bt15,000 to Bt13,000/tonne /The Nation

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Fears allayed over April power outage
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Feb 28 – PTT, Thailand’s state-owned oil and gas company, will boost its domestic production of natural gas and double the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in preparation for the expected power outage during the maintenance of a gas platform in Myanmar April 5-14, a leading Thai engineer said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622706-fears-allayed-over-april-power-outage-thailand/

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Thailand faces battle to win over rebels: analysts

by Aidan Jones

BANGKOK, March 1, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand may have secured talks aimed at ending nine years of conflict in its Muslim-majority south, but analysts say the real battle lies ahead -- overcoming mistrust and winning over young rebels.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622707-thailand-faces-battle-to-win-over-rebels-analysts/

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Six wounded in Narathiwat fresh market bombing
By Digital Media

NARATHIWAT, March 1 -- One soldier and five residents were wounded in motorcycle bombing in Narathiwat, just one day after the government signed a breakthrough accord with one of several Muslim insurgent groups, agreeing to hold talks to ease nearly a decade of violence in Thailand's southern provinces.

The explosion occurred at around 6am this morning at the entrance of the Narathiwat municipality fresh market on Phupha Phakdee Road.

Police said the five kiligramme bomb was built in a metal box and placed inside a helmet compartment of the motorcycle. A male teenager reportedly drove the motorcycle to park behind a pickup truck from Narathiwat Special Task Force 32.

The vehicle was installed with a jammer to cut mobile phone and radio signals used to trigger bombing in the southernmost province.

The bomb exploded five minutes after the youth left the motorcycle and walked into the market.

The explosion wounded one solder and five villagers shopping at the market.

Six motorcycles, two pickup trucks, that belonging to the government task force and another owned by a local resident were damaged by the explosion.

On Thursday, Thai National Security Council secretary general Paradorn Pattanatabutr signed an agreement to begin a "dialogue process for peace" with Hassan Taib, chief of the liaison office of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) in Malaysia.

It was seen as a positive step, but is unlikely to immediately end the conflict because several other shadowy movements also fighting in southern Thailand have yet to agree to talks. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-01

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RT @CBSNews: U.S. wins appeal in battle to extradite Kim Dotcom

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Former US Army paratrooper destroys 60 gubernatorial campaign ads
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- At 3:30am this morning, former US Army paratrooper Andrew James Agnew was taken into custody after he was caught destroying more than 60 gubernatorial campaign billboards on Nawong Pracha Phatthana Road in the Don Muang District.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622711-former-u-s-army-paratrooper-destroys-60-gubernatorial-campaign-ads-bangkok/

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Blast rattles Thai south after peace talk deal

NARATHIWAT, Thailand, March 1, 2013 (AFP) - Six people were injured in a bomb blast in the restive Thai south Friday, police said, as unrest continued barely a day after Thailand signed a peace talk deal with one of several rebel groups.

The device, hidden in a motorcycle, was detonated outside a busy morning market in the provincial town of Narathiwat, police said, adding that the explosion was within an area deemed to be a "safe zone", with a high security presence.

It came a day after the Thai government agreed to hold talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional, part of a web of shadowy insurgent groups in the Muslim-majority south where a bloody uprising has claimed more than 5,500 lives since 2004.

Local police suggested Friday's blast could be the work of a rival group responding with violence to the news of the BRN discussions.

"We are convinced that this incident was the work of militants wanting to show their power and to discredit the government," Somchai Panomuppakarn, deputy chief investigator of Narathiwat city police, told AFP.

But Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dismissed the suggestions, saying a reduction in attacks would take time.

"These bombings are usual, it was not in retaliation against the government. The signing yesterday does not mean that the violence will stop immediately," she told reporters.

A 66-year-old man was in a critical condition with shrapnel wounds and facial burns following Friday's blast, which also injured four women and a soldier.

A stubborn insurgency seeking greater autonomy has raged across several provinces in the south of Thailand bordering Malaysia for nine years -- with near-daily shootings and bombings.

Malaysian premier Najib Razak on Thursday said his country would host the Thai talks in Kuala Lumpur in two weeks, following discussions with Yingluck who was in the country for annual bilateral meetings.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-03-01