Thailand Live Saturday 2 Mar 2013

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Charoen becomes chairman of F&N
The Nation

Tycoon may make Singapore firm his holding company

BANGKOK: -- Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has become chairman of Fraser and Neave, amid speculation that he will turn the Singaporean food/beverage and property company into the holding company of his empire.

A source told The Nation earlier that Charoen planned to make F&N the holding company of his businesses, after completion of the takeover in Singapore.

His wife, Khunying Wanna, will be vice chairwoman of F&N while Pailin Chuchottaworn, president of PTT, will become an independent director, according to filings to the Singapore Exchange on Thursday.

Charoen and Wanna have approximately a combined 90.32-per-cent interest in F&N through their holdings in Thai Beverage and TCC Assets, both substantial shareholders of F&N.

"I am pleased to join F&N as chairman of the board," Charoen said in a filing. "F&N is recognised as a leading Asia-Pacific consumer group with strong standing in the food-and-beverage, property, and publishing/printing sectors.

"I look forward to working closely with the board and management team to build upon the successes of the company achieved under the guidance of Mr Lee Hsien Yang and the other former board members, and pursue the numerous opportunities available to the group in this region."

Lee stepped down as chairman on Tuesday, soon after the company's takeover by ThaiBev and TCC.

Charoen is currently chairman of several companies including ThaiBev, Beer Thai (1991), Red Bull Distillery Group of Companies, TCC Land, Berli Jucker, South East Group Co and TCC Holding Co.

The tycoon holds an honorary doctoral degree in agricultural business administration from Maejo Institute of Agricultural Technology (now Maejo University) in Chiang Mai, an honorary doctoral degree in industrial technology from Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, an honorary doctoral degree in management from Huachiew Chalermprakiet University in Samut Prakan, an honorary doctoral degree in business administration from Eastern Asia University, an honorary PhD in business administration from Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai, an honorary doctoral degree in management from Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi, and an honorary doctoral degree in international business administration from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.


-- The Nation 2013-03-02

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Demand in Thailand 'cause of African elephant poaching'
Noppatjak Attanon
The Nation
Cameroon


Savannah elephants in the Bouba Ndjida National Park

CAMEROON: -- More than 500 soldiers have been working hard in the Bouba Ndjida National Park on a mission to end a bloody business - elephant poaching. And though this operation is taking place thousands of miles away, it is very much related to the ivory trade in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622900-demand-in-thailand-cause-of-african-elephant-poaching/

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Narathiwat rocked by two blasts
The Nation

Police and security officials examine the wreckage of a pickup truck used in a bomb attack in Narathiwat yesterday.

Vehicle bombs seen as attempt by insurgents to reject peace process launched in Malaysia

NARATHIWAT: -- Two vehicle bombs in a span of five hours yesterday rocked Narathiwat's Muang district less than 24 hours after the signing of an agreement in Malaysia between Thailand's security authorities and four people purportedly representing insurgent groups in the South of Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622901-narathiwat-rocked-by-two-bomb-blasts;-seen-as-attempt-by-insurgents-to-reject-peace-process/

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Police to be equipped with cameras and meters to prevent poll rigging
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Police personnel dispatched to polling stations throughout Bangkok tomorrow will be equipped with counting meters and shoulder-mounted cameras in a bid to prevent electoral fraud in the capital's gubernatorial polls.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622902-bangkok-police-to-be-equipped-with-cameras-and-meters-to-prevent-poll-rigging/

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LIKE IT, SHARE IT
Does the social media reveal true character?
Kornchanok Raksaseri

BANGKOK: -- Elections are a perfect time to share opinions. Over the past two months, Bangkokians have learned more about prospective candidates thanks to their extended election campaigns, as they have been trotting to all areas and corners of the capital meeting people with different needs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622903-bangkok-poll-does-the-social-media-reveal-true-character/

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MIGRANT LABOUR
Many falsely identify themselves as Myanmar nationals
Thanapat Kitjakosol
The Nation

Direct contracts between employers and recruitment agencies urged

BANGKOK: -- The National Security Council (NSC) has discovered that some 50,000 Chinese and Vietnamese illegal migrants falsely identified themselves as Myanmar citizens during the nationality-verification process, the Mahidol Migration Centre revealed.

"These people are in fact Vietnamese and Chinese who have been working in Thailand. We are conducting a study on this," Assoc Prof Krittaya Artwanitkun, an academic at the centre, said yesterday at a workshop on labour migration.

The workshop attracted about 70 participants, including Thai employers, Myanmar workers and representatives from several organisations including Myanmar recruitment firms.

According to the Mahidol Migration Centre, 733,603 alien workers have already undergone a nationality-verification process. About 167,991 others have already registered themselves with Thai authorities, but their nationality has yet to be verified.

These figures are in addition to the 93,265 alien workers who have come to Thailand under the memorandums of understanding (MoU) signed between the Thai government and neighbouring countries.

"We have no clear records of how many illegal migrant workers are here in Thailand," Krittaya said.

However, she added that most Myanmar, Laotian, and Cambodian workers in Thailand were unskilled labour. "Only 2,068 come under the skilled category," she added. Her centre is part of Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research.

She said records from the Department of Provincial Administration show that there might be some 3.5 million alien workers based in Thailand at present.

"However, there is a possibility that some figures are overlapping," Krittaya pointed out.

She added that the Thai government did not have a consistent policy on labour migration, which led to several problems. For instance, alien workers fall prey to illegal agents, who charge them more than is necessary to get them jobs in Thailand. Many migrant workers have also complained that Thai police have extorted money from them and their employers do not provide them with reasonable welfare.

"If employers do not register our names with the social-security scheme, we will have no access to welfare at all," migrant worker Than Lwin said.

Taweesak Homchan, who represented Laotian workers at the workshop, said there was a case in which an alien worker lost a finger in an accident at work, but had to fight hard to get assistance from relevant authorities.

Dr Wah Wah Sein from Myanmar's Today Top Star Consultancy Group proposed that Thai employers enter into contracts with Myanmar-based recruitment firms to boost transparency and efficiency in labour migration.

"Let's educate workers right in their home country about the benefits they will get before they leave home for work," she said, adding that direct contracts will also protect workers from illegal agents.

Thanasak Kijrungroj, vice chairman of Thailand-based Sea Wealth Frozen Food, agreed.

"My firm has been doing this and the results are good," he said, adding that previously his company had problems with bad Myanmar workers provided by uncertified agents. "About 160 of the 1,000 hired would hardly do any work and would drink all day," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-03-02

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BROADCASTING
Digital radio mulled for 2013
Rattiya Angkulanon
The Nation



Upgrade to be test-launched first; NBTC to host workshop on system this weekend

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission's broadcasting committee might allocate a spectrum for digital radio next year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622904-digital-radio-mulled-for-2013-thailand/

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Round one to Central in riots
Achara Deboonme
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Central Group has won the preliminary court's support for its damages claim against Deves Insurance, heightening the chance that it would win Bt3.8 billion compensation for the arson attack on CentralWorld during the political unrest in 2010.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622905-round-one-to-central-in-riots-arson-attack-2010/

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Thai embassy warns against using brokers
Marisa Chimprabha
The Nation

BEIJING: The Thai Embassy in Beijing has warned parents and students wishing to study in China or apply for scholarships to avoid brokers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622906-thai-embassy-in-beijing-warns-students-not-to-use-brokers/

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DSI blames storage, delivery of test papers

Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,

Chuleeporn Aramnet

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Investigators believe that the reported cheating at an examination for assistant teachers could be blamed on the process of storing and delivering test papers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622907-d-s-i-blames-storage-delivery-of-test-papers-cheating-at-examination-for-assistant-teachers/

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EDITORIAL
Government falls back on a failed peace initiative
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The govt's Wadah faction has lost credibility in the deep South, but some in authority still seem to think it can build bridges in the strife-torn region

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622908-thai-government-falls-back-on-a-failed-peace-initiative-editorial/

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VENUS' VISION
Time to ride the dark horses, people
Veena Thoopkrajae



BANGKOK: -- The newsroom says this Bangkok gubernatorial election is boring, and I have felt the same since the election campaign kicked off.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622910-time-to-ride-the-dark-horses-people-bangkok-gubernatorial-election/

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Danish tourists charged with sexual assault in Thailand released on bail
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN

CHIANG MAI: -- The two Danish men who were arrested in Chiang Mai, charged of raping a 23-year-old Dutch tourist have now been released.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622911-danish-tourists-charged-with-sexual-assault-in-thailand-released-on-bail/

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How a wife pushed her husband into hall of shame
The Nation


Natnicha is believed to have been one of the most power military wives, who pushed her husband to the higher echelons of the Defence Ministry.

BANGKOK: -- Natnicha Permthong-in was once seen as the "wind beneath the wings" of her husband Satien, former permanent secretary for Defence, but now she may have become a millstone of shame around his neck, sinking him to the depths of shame.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622913-how-a-thai-wife-pushed-her-husband-into-hall-of-shame/

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THAI gets nod to hire cabin crew
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- National carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) will recruit about 250 cabin crew to solve the shortage of personnel and serve its new aircraft to be delivered this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622914-thai-airways-international-gets-nod-to-hire-cabin-crew/

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English, ICT top of agenda for candidates' education policies
Wannapa Khaopa
The Nation



Bangkok gubernatorial hopefuls seemed to have played down the significance of education.

BANGKOK: -- Unlike traffic, garbage and the environment, education policies have not been mentioned much in campaigns, despite the new governor being responsible for more than 310,000 students at 437 schools - who will grow up to shape the capital's future.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622915-english-i-c-t-top-of-agenda-for-bangkok-candidates-education-policies/

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27 Year Old Mother murdered at East Pattaya family home



A 27 year old Mother was struck over the head with an iron pipe and killed in her home on Friday evening.

PATTAYA: -- Police and rescue services were called to the house in Rattanakorn Village 1 in East Pattaya just before 5.30pm and met with the husband of the deceased woman, Khun Sophon aged 38, who runs the Sophon Air Conditioning Business from the same location.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622916-27-year-old-mother-murdered-at-east-pattaya-family-home/

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Excessive drinking blamed for drowning at Jomtien Lake



PATTAYA: -- On Friday afternoon, Pattaya Sea Rescue Services were called to a lake located inside Soi 7 off the Tepprasit Road to assist in the search of a man who was presumed drowned in a lake at the location.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622917-excessive-drinking-blamed-for-drowning-at-jomtien-lake/

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RT @191Thailand: 9am Traffic jam on Highway 36 from Pattaya-Rayong due to passenger van fire. At least 6 dead (Pic @Prayads) http://yfrog.com/mgmb7wpj

RT @191Thailand: 9:34am Latest news on passenger van fire. 6 dead & 3-4 injured. Van driver has reportedly fled the scene - TR @news1005fm

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UPDATE:

Mother of savaged pit bull victim presses criminal charges
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: Criminal negligence charges were filed this week against the owners of the three pit bull terriers that mauled a man outside his own Phuket home in early February.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622048-phuket-pit-bull-owner-sued-after-savage-dog-attack/?p=6163804#entry6163804

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'Wadah' group says more rebel groups keen on peace talks with Thai govt
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Mar 2 – A government-backed Muslim political faction has thrown its strong support to the Thursday’s agreement between Thailand and a southern rebel group on peace process to resolve the unrest in the country’s far South, according to a leading group member.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622932-wadah-group-says-more-rebel-groups-keen-on-peace-talks-with-thai-govt/

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Thai tourist industry 'driving' elephant smuggling

by Amelie Bottollier-Depois

BANGKOK, March 2, 2013 (AFP) - Smuggling the world's largest land animal across an international border sounds like a mammoth undertaking, but activists say that does not stop traffickers supplying Asian elephants to Thai tourist attractions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622900-demand-in-thailand-cause-of-african-elephant-poaching/?p=6163902#entry6163902

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Impressive Bt6.5 billion net profit for Thai Airways International
By English News



BANGKOK, March 2 – Thai Airways International (THAI), Thailand’s national flag carrier, today announced a net profit of over Bt6 billion for last year’s operations – a sharp turnaround from 2011 when the company suffered a Bt10.2 billion loss.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622936-impressive-bt65-billion-net-profit-for-thai-airways-international/

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RT @191Thailand: Update: Passenger van fire in Chonburi killed 7 including two children.

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RT @RichardBarrow: Restaurants at international hotels in Bangkok are exempt from the alcohol ban during Buddhist holidays & elections.

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Seven dead in East Pattaya Minivan crash

PATTAYA:--Just before 9am on Saturday Nongprue Police and rescue services were called to Highway 36 close to the Bira International Racing Circuit to deal with a fatal road crash which left seven people dead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622973-seven-dead-in-east-pattaya-minivan-crash/

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Security Guard stabs patron of South Pattaya Karaoke Bar

PATTAYA:--Police and rescue services were called to the front of a South Pattaya Karaoke Bar early on Saturday Morning to assist a man who had been reportedly stabbed by a Security Guard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622975-security-guard-stabs-patron-of-south-pattaya-karaoke-bar/

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Four ethnic Tai Yai arrested in Bangkok with 800,000 meth pills, 16kg of 'ice' valued at Bt72 million /MCOT

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Pharmacy raid nets 24 youths in cough syrup blitz
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A raid on a Phuket Town pharmacy early yesterday evening turned into a bumper haul for officers as they arrested a procession of youngsters turning up to buy cough syrup specifically to make the local drug cocktail “4x100”.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/622978-pharmacy-raid-nets-24-youths-in-cough-syrup-blitz/

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RT@RichardBarrow: "Our Hands for Better Thailand" in front of CentralWorld. Thailand's biggest street fair for the society pic.twitter.com/cFS7OgXP49