Thailand Live Thursday 7 Mar 2013

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Red Cross on hunt for type-A blood
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thai Red Cross Society is calling on people with blood of the A-type to make donations as it only has about 400 units in its stock.

The agency's director Soisa-ang Pikulsod told a seminar yesterday that so far, only 80 per cent of the donated blood underwent testing via the Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT). Hence, she said, in order to protect patients, Red Cross was going have all its centres use the NAT tests.

She said NAT testing on 3,758,833 units from 2009-2012 showed 34 units being HIV-positive, 11 had Hepatitis C and 1,489 had Hepatitis B.

She also explained that the agency refused to take blood from people of the homosexual orientation due to international regulations, not sexual bias.


-- The Nation 2013-03-07

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EU, Thailand launch free trade talks

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624064-eu-thailand-launch-free-trade-talks/

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Thailand should brand itself Asean's leader
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
CHAOWARAT YONGJIRANON
THE NATION


Philip Kotler

BANGKOK: -- Thailand should take the lead as the "United States of Asean" and take advantage of the Kingdom's rich, religious culture as its selling points in branding itself ahead of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, said marketing guru Philip Kotler.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624082-thailand-should-brand-itself-aseans-leader/

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Thailand on CITES watch list over ivory trade
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Thailand is now at risk from a trade ban by the international community as it has been placed on a watch list for its alleged involvement in illegal ivory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624083-thailand-on-c-i-t-e-s-watch-list-over-ivory-trade/

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Academics urge students, teachers to prepare for AEC
WANNAPA KHAOPA
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A leading academic has outlined the role of higher education in preparing graduates and lecturers for the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624084-academics-urge-students-teachers-to-prepare-for-a-e-c/

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Some 20 insurgents set to give in under scheme
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- About 20 leading insurgents in the deep South are expected to surrender soon under a plea-bargaining scheme.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624086-some-20-insurgents-set-to-give-in-under-plea-bargaining-scheme-thai-south/

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Pongsapat to return to police force
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation



Failed Pheu Thai candidate hints he might run again four years later

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai's failed Bangkok governor candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said he would tell PM Yingluck Shinawatra today he is returning to work as a police officer. He said he wouldn't take any political positions but would consider running for governor again in four years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624087-pheu-thais-failed-bangkok-governor-candidate-pongsapat-to-return-to-police-force/

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THAI TALK
Bangkok election offers lessons to all parties concerned
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- No party was spared a lesson from Bangkok's gubernatorial election last Sunday, in which incumbent MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party managed a record win against Pheu Thai challenger Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen in one of the most exciting polls for the capital.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624088-bangkok-election-offers-lessons-to-all-parties-concerned/

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EDITORIAL
Integrity required in climate-change mitigation plans
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's plans for flood prevention and coping with natural disasters are not up to scratch; much more needs to be done by all parties concerned.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624089-integrity-required-in-climate-change-mitigation-plans-thai-editorial/

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BURNING ISSUE
Amnesty Law back on Pheu Thai party's agenda
Attayuth Bootsripoom

After being put on the back-burner for the gubernatorial race, the heat of political conflicts is set to flare up again.

BANGKOK: -- One issue that coalition-leader Pheu Thai paused over, for fear it would affect its gubernatorial candidate, was finding a solution to the calls for an amnesty law.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624090-amnesty-law-back-on-pheu-thai-partys-agenda/

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Tablet may be delayed
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The government will not be able to distribute tablet computers to Prathom 1 and Mathayom 1 students before the 2013 academic year kicks off because the shipment will not arrive on time.

Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said yesterday that the tablets procured under a budget of more than Bt5 billion could not be delivered by May 16 - the day schools re-open for the new academic year.

The government plans to purchase 1.8 million tablets for its One Tablet Per Child project this year, but relevant authorities are still working on the terms of reference (TOR) for the procurement.

"We expect the TOR to be ready by March 13 and the e-auctions to take place on April 25. After that, we should be able to sign the purchase contracts on May 10," Sermsak explained.

He added that successful bidders would have up to 90 days to make the delivery after signing the contracts.

"So, the tablets will arrive between late May and July," the deputy education minister said.

However, he added, that this delay should not affect students' lessons.

"It's just a short delay," he said.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry yesterday joined forces with the British Council and the UK Embassy to launch the "English Teaching Assistants Project 2013". Under this, 792 English native-speaking volunteers will get to teach at 621 institutes nationwide for eight weeks from July to September. The British Council will also help develop English lessons that can be uploaded on the tablets.


-- The Nation 2013-03-07

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UPDATE:
Probe into Red Bull heir's crash completed
The Nation

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623930-red-bull-heirs-hit-and-run-case-reaches-prosecutors-hands-bangkok/page-2?p=6179564#entry6179564

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Govt criticized for lack of action on women's problems
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has failed to deliver a social security scheme and social welfare services that best respond to the needs of women, a seminar was told yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624092-thai-govt-criticized-for-lack-of-action-on-womens-problems/

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Policemen surrender to face rhino-horn smuggling charge
Noppadon Sritaweekas
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Three policemen yesterday turned themselves in to face charges of trying to smuggle in rhinoceros horn worth about Bt12.7 million.

They are police sergeants Jakkraphan Parnprasert and Petcharit Panthaisong, and Pol Sgt-Major Samai Ratjangwang. All of them worked at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The three men tried to stop customs officials searching their bags as they exited the airport on January 6. The search revealed that one of the bags contained rhinoceros horn worth about Bt12.7 million. A further investigation revealed that the bag belonged to Pham Quang Log, a 45-year-old Vietnamese national who had just flown in from Mozambique.

He was arrested on January 6 and remains in detention.

Police have also issued an arrest warrant for Loy Jantawongsa, a Laotian who fled the scene after failing to talk officials out of arresting Pham on January 6.

Jakraphan yesterday denied that he and his two co-accused were involved in the smuggling business, but said he would only elaborate once the case got to court.


-- The Nation 2013-03-07

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SHARK AND RAY TRADE
Thailand signals opposition to CITES listings
The Nation


Shark conservation experts from the Pew Charitable Trust hold dried shark fins after a press briefing on sharks and manta rays at the 16th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)./ EPA/NARONG

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624093-thailand-signals-opposition-to-c-i-t-e-s-listings-shark-and-ray-trade/

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EXAM CHEATING
Deputy Minister suspects papers were leaked
SAOWANEE NIMPANPAYUNGWONG
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI
The Nation



486 test-takers got full or near full marks; DSI to conclude its investigation on March 18

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich suspects assistant teacher exam papers were leaked after 486 test-takers in 60 provinces received a full score or a nearly full score.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624094-exam-cheating-thai-dept-education-minister-suspects-papers-were-leaked/

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Easing of protection for Thai crocodiles sought
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation



The CITES partners are expected to come to a resolution today on whether or not protection for Thai crocodiles should be lowered.

BANGKOK: -- Thai officials have been lobbying hard for protection regulations to be eased in the hope of expanding its export of crocodile products. At present, Thailand is exporting Bt3 billion to Bt4 billion worth of crocodile goods.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624095-easing-of-protection-for-thai-crocodiles-sought/

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Thailand passes Canada in car production
Asian nation produced 68% more cars in January than a year earlier

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624096-thailand-passes-canada-in-car-production/

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South Korea warns on North Korea threat

SEOUL: -- South Korea's military has warned it will respond to any provocation from North Korea, after Pyongyang's threat to scrap the Korean War armistice.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624097-south-korea-warns-on-north-korea-threat-war-armistice/

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UPDATE:
Erotic Asphyxiation or murder? Police investigate Russian Death at Pattaya Hotel



PATTAYA: -- Police Major General Niwat, Deputy Commissioner of Region 2 Police is now leading the investigation into the apparent murder of a Russian Tourist at a Central Pattaya Hotel which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623775-russian-tourist-murdered-at-pattaya-hotel/page-5?p=6179608#entry6179608

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Google says FBI watching the Web

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Google says the FBI is monitoring the Web for potential terrorist activity. But it can't confirm the extent of the surveillance.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624099-google-says-f-b-i-watching-the-web/

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British Tourist escapes apartment fire in South Pattaya



PATTAYA: -- An exploding Air Conditioning Compressor Unit forced a 44 year old British man and his 30 year old Thai wife to jump onto a flat roof at a South Pattaya apartment complex where they waited to be rescued.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624101-british-tourist-escapes-apartment-fire-in-south-pattaya/

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Russian House Owner Confronts Burglar In His South Pattaya Home

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623971-russian-house-owner-confronts-burglar-in-his-south-pattaya-home/

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A US ambassador and the art of Twitter diplomacy: Interview with Kristie Kenney

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624108-a-u-s-ambassador-and-the-art-of-twitter-diplomacy-interview-with-kristie-kenney/

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Phuket taxi driver confesses to assault, abduction – denies sexual assault
Phuket Gazette

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624110-phuket-taxi-driver-confesses-to-assault-abduction-denies-sexual-assault/

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Alvin Lee, rock guitarist in the band Ten Years After, dies at 68

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624113-alvin-lee-rock-guitarist-in-the-band-ten-years-after-dies-at-68/

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Bar Girl Shock as Israeli customer dies in Central Pattaya Hotel Room

PATTAYA:--An Israeli Tourist died from a suspected heart attack in the early hours of Thursday at a Central Pattaya Hotel.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624114-bar-girl-shock-as-israeli-customer-dies-in-central-pattaya-hotel-room/

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,562.53, up 3.18 points /MCOT

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Media conglomerate Time Warner to spin-off its Time magazine division by year-end, ending its involvement in print media /The Nation

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Australian competes in Thai singing competition
By Coconuts Bangkok


Christopher Jonathan Roy Chaafe

BANGKOK: -- Christopher Jonathan Roy Chaafe has been chosen as one of eight finalists in Thailand’s most famous singing competition – “The Star.”

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624124-australian-competes-in-thai-singing-competition/