Thailand Live Saturday 9 Mar 2013

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Former deputy PM Pao Sarasin dies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pao Sarasin, who was once chief of the Royal Thai Police and served as deputy prime minister, died of a blood infection at Siriraj Hospital on Thursday night. He was 83 years old.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represented His Majesty the King in granting water for Pao's bathing rite, which was held at 6pm yesterday at Benjamabophit Temple in Bangkok.

Pao was a son of former prime minister Poj Sarasin and Thanpuying Siri Sarasin. After his graduation from Vajiravudh College, he furthered his education in the United States. He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a bachelor's in criminology from the University of California.

After his return to Thailand, Pao entered the police service in 1954. He rose through the ranks to become a police general and chief of the Royal Thai Police in 1987.

He served as deputy prime minister and interior minister in the post-coup government of Anand Panyarachun in 1992.

Pao was married to Thapuying Tawika Sarasin. They had three sons, among them TV host Kanit Sarasin.


-- The Nation 2013-03-09

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Men's sense of 'sexual entitlement' to blame
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- At least half of 10,178 male respondents from six Asia-Pacific countries said they had a history of physical and/or sexual violence against women, a United Nations study has revealed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624614-violence-against-women-mens-sense-of-sexual-entitlement-to-blame-u-n-study-reveals/

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German Found Dead In Jomtien Condo, Police Suspect Sexual Stimulent Overdose

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624510-german-found-dead-in-jomtien-condo-police-suspect-sexual-stimulent-overdose/

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Army ready to join amnesty talks
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Panya Thiosangwan
The Nation

Deputy House Speaker invites 10 groups, including 8 proposed by PAD

BANGKOK: -- The military would be happy to send representatives to join talks on an amnesty law if invited, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624616-thai-army-ready-to-join-amnesty-talks/

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Thai stocks continue to fly high as US, Japan data lift sentiment
Business Reporters
The Nation

Favourable economic data from the United States, Japan and China is buoying global stock investor sentiment.

BANGKOK: -- While the Thai bourse hit another 19-year high yesterday, Tokyo's stock index reached the highest level since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624617-thai-stocks-continue-to-fly-high-as-u-s-japan-data-lift-sentiment/

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UPDATE

WILDLIFE PROTECTION

Thailand fails to get crocodiles delisted
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


A foreign participant displays a shark fin at the ongoing 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The forum is being held in Bangkok until March 14.

CITES votes to keep Siamese and saltwater crocs under protection list

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has failed to get major support from members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to downgrade the protection for Siamese and saltwater crocodiles.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624507-thailand-fails-to-get-crocodile-species-downgraded/page-2#entry6186241

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Halt to bombings on the agenda
Thasong Asvasena
The Nation



Thai side to ask insurgents to spare 'innocent civilians'

BANGKOK: -- An immediate halt to bombings in residential areas and attacks on innocent civilians will be on the agenda for the March 28 talks in Malaysia between Thai authorities and insurgents' representatives, National Security Council secretary-general Lt-General Paradorn Pattanathabut said yesterday in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624618-halt-to-bombings-in-thai-south-on-the-agenda/

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EDITORIAL
Infrastructure plan must bring benefits for all
The Nation

As the govt unveils development projects, the public now has the chance to question whether they will be a valid use of taxpayers' money

BANGKOK: -- The government’s long-awaited infrastructure investment scheme requires thorough planning and public scrutiny if it is really to enhance the country’s competitiveness and the quality of life for citizens as a whole.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624619-thai-govts-infrastructure-plan-must-bring-benefits-for-all-editorial/

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Voters' 'fear of Thaksin, red shirts' swung poll
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fear tactics about the risk of Bangkok being taken over by fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts enabled the Democrat Party to win the Bangkok gubernatorial race, said Red Sunday group leader Sombat Boonngam-anong.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624620-voters-fear-of-thaksin-red-shirts-swung-bangkok-poll/

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Top judge questions 'meddling moves'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Administrative Courts have enjoyed the trust of the people, at more than 90 per cent, in the past 12 years, but the coalition lawmakers are suspiciously determined to dismantle the judicial system, a top court official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624621-top-thai-judge-questions-meddling-moves/

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Top Democrats face charge over donation to party
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday summoned Bangkok governor-elect Sukhumbhand Paribatra to hear the charge of breaking the law in the manner of his donation of his salary to the Democrat Party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624622-top-thai-democrats-face-charge-over-donation-to-party/

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Negotiations over libel lawsuit fail
The Nation


Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan is interviewed before joining court arbitration in a libel case filed against him by Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday refused a defence offer for settlement of his libel suit against red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624623-abhisit-against-jatuporn-negotiations-over-libel-lawsuit-fail/

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King sends condolences
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty has sent a message of condolence to the leader and the people of Venezuela on the passing away of President Hugo Chavez.

The royal letter expressed the King's regret to Venezuela's caretaker president Nicolas Maduro, Chavez's family and the people, according to Manasvi Srisodapol, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Information. The letter was forwarded by the Thai Embassy in Lima on Thursday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul also sent separate letters of condolence.

-- The Nation 2013-03-09

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Hitler fashion statements confuse, offend tourists in Thailand
By Lindsay Jolivet

"Great Hitler T-Shirt, you look so cute!"

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624624-hitler-fashion-statements-confuse-offend-tourists-in-thailand/

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Thailand to Host Two Title Fights on May 3rd as Pungluang Sor Singyu Faces Fredirex Rodriguez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai Takes on Yota Sato

After the disappointment of losing his WBO World Bantamweight Title at the first time of asking Pungluang Sor Singyu (43-2) will not have to wait too long to make amends as he is set to take on Fredirex Rodriguez (10-2-1) on May 3rd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624629-thailand-to-host-two-title-fights-on-may-3rd-w-b-o/

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Aussie life savers dive in to boost Phuket beach guard training
Phuket Gazette

The Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC) has had a long association with Surf Life Saving in Australia. Photo: PLC

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Lifeguard Club (PLC) yesterday announced it has joined with the renowned Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to develop world-class public education programs that aim to improve water safety and reduce the number of drownings on Phuket’s beaches.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624632-aussie-life-savers-dive-in-to-boost-phuket-beach-guard-training/

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Phuket Poll: Russian tourists equals 'No money, no matter'

The Phuket Gazette

In the media spotlight, Cherng Talay Administrative Organization (OrBorTor) President Ma-ann Samran holds up a license proving that a local business catering to Russian tourists in Phuket is operating legally. Photo: Christian Mouchet

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624638-phuket-poll-russian-tourists-equals-no-money-no-matter/

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PM, on her prerecorded weekly TV programme, gives brief on her trip to Sweden, Belgium to strengthen ties, draw investment, promote tourism /MCOT

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Special Report:
Education Min expected to scrap exam results in wake of cheating scandal

BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry is expected to annul the exam results of 2,000 assistant teachers nationwide following an in-depth investigation on suspected cheating.

According to Deputy education minister Sermsak Pongpanich , he has received reports of widespread cheating during the recent entrance examination organised on Jan 13 by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec). At the request of the Education ministry, The DSI's corruption prevention and suppression centre formed a panel to probe the cheating allegations and prosecute those involved in the scandal.

The panel found that three methods had been employed to enable cheating. Exam questions and answer sheets were reportedly leaked one day before the exam date. Proxies were hired to take exams in centers across the country. Evidence suggested that electronic devices had been used to send answers to applicants.

In addition to reports suggesting OBEC officials’ involvement in the case, a gang operating in Northeastern provinces such as Yasothorn and Khon Kaen is alleged to have been involved in the cheating. The DSI panel has commented that the large-scale fraud is implemented by a large gang, in a similar manner to a previous scam detected in the police entrance exam.

Last year, five suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in a scam allowing police force applicants to cheat in their exams. Applicants were found carrying short-wave radio devices which were modified to receive vibrations indicating the answers to questions in the exam.

During the investigation, representatives of Educational Service Area Offices and teachers voiced their opposition to possible nullification of all exam results, saying that the ministry should seek to punish those who cheated and spared those who did not commit a fraud. A number of education officials have already resigned from their positions in anticipation of procuring future teaching jobs.

The DSI special panel is slated to unveil its preliminary conclusion on March 18. The Education Ministry has made known that stringent measures will be imposed for the new round of exams for teaching assistants to be held in April.


-- NNT 2013-03-09

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One wounded in Narathiwat's shooting
By Digital Media



NARATHIWAT, March 9 - Presumed insurgents on Friday night opened fire at youths playing sports in this restive southern province, wounding one of them.

The incident occurred in Su-ngai Padi district where a group of eight young men were playing basketball.

Initial investigation found that four assailants on two motorcycles parked their vehicles opposite the outdoor basketball court and fired 15 cartridges from an M16 assault rifle at the group.

The victims ran away to escape the attack, but one of them, identified as Tripat Warunee, 15, was shot on his left hip. He was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The suspected insurgents then fled the scene.

Officials believe the attack was the work of an insurgent group who want to create a disturbance, as the group of young men regularly played sports at this venue and did not have any conflicts with others. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-09

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RT @mpoppel: Al Jazeera reports at least 7 dead in Kabul suicide attack on defense ministry

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Phuket concrete-mixing truck kills 5-year-old boy
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A concrete-mixing truck ran over a 5-year-old Burmese boy in Thalang on Friday night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624679-phuket-concrete-mixing-truck-kills-5-year-old-boy/

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38.30% of those surveyed by Suan Dusit Poll are afraid the proposed amnesty law could lead to political unrest /The Nation

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Govt showcases planned Bt2tn investment in infrastructure development megaprojects over next 7 yrs at Thailand 2020 expo at Govt Complex,Chaengwattana,till Mar.12 /The Nation

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Phuket:
Sexual asssault claim dropped after tourist can't remember

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624500-dutch-tourist-retracts-phi-phi-sexual-assault-report/page-2?p=6187144#entry6187144

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Transport Minister: 2.2-trillion-baht investment to boost transport system will spur economic growth by 1.3%; public debt won't exceed 50% /MCOT

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RT @AP: BREAKING: Egyptian court confirms death sentences for 21 people for role in deadly 2012 soccer riot.

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Narathiwat residents launch anti-violence campaign
By Digital Media



NARATHIWAT, March 9 – More than a thousand local residents in this restive southern province rallied today to show their opposition to violence and called on the public to cooperate with the authorities in tackling the insurgency problems.

Some 1,000 representatives from Narathiwat's 13 districts turned up at the Provincial Islamic Committee Office with national flags and anti-violence banners.

The activity was attended by Narathiwat deputy governor Samart Warasai, provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Pisit Sitthisan and the province's Islamic committee chairman Safi-e Jeloh.

The three also spoke about the insurgency situation in the province and asked the public to help state agencies convince presumed insurgents to surrender under Article 21 of the Internal Security Act.

They said the authorities will facilitate their cases and that they will be treated fairly.

According to Article 21, any wrongdoer who violates the law and gives up to authorities may be allowed to undergo rehabilitation training for a maximum of six months. After training under conditions ordered by the court, criminal charges against them may be waived. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-09

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to continue:

Thailand Live Sunday 10 Mar 2013

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/624827-thailand-live-sunday-10-mar-2013/