Thailand Live Tuesday 12 Mar 2013

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Obec orders strict disciplinary probes against seven education officials
Supinda Na Mahachai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has ordered severe disciplinary probe against Khon Kaen Primary Education Zone 3 Office director, deputy human resource director and five other civil servants after a fact-finding committee on March 7 suggested that they might be involved in cheating in the assistant teacher exams.

Exam records in Khon Kaen showed that some test takers' names were the same as those who took tests at Si Sa Ket's Primary Education Zone 2.

Chinnapat Bhumirat, Obec’s secretary-general, said yesterday that the civil servants manning the exam did not check that the identity marked on the desks matched the ID carried by the examinees. In one case, it found that the photograph of the examinee on a desk had been replaced and re-stamped, he said.

Also, he said, the seating plan did not follow Obec guidelines, so a disciplinary probe was necessary to check who ordered the change.

Chinnapat said he had apprised Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich of the action, and the minister had said he would hand the case over to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) soon. He said the decision on whether to cancel the assistant teacher exam or not would be tabled at the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission's meeting on March 22.

Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said on March 22, the commission should hopefully make a clear decision as to whether the exams should be scrapped, re-scheduled or revoke the scores.

Meanwhile, assistant teachers who had been recruited after this round of exams warned yesterday that they would file a complaint with the Administrative Court if the Education Ministry and related agencies cancelled the exam's results nationwide.

Lamenting that many decent and hard-working test-takers were already being viewed wrongfully as "cheaters", assistant teacher Thanakrit Khanthawat said if the entire test is scrapped he and many others would be out of work and would hence sue. He also urged the authority to cancel the test results on a case-by case basis.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

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ANALYSIS
Whips give amnesty the cold shoulder
Attayuth Bootsripoom,
Jeerapong Prasertpolkraung,
Olan Lertrudtanadumrongkul
The Nation


'Red' MP Worachai threatens to use his right to move item to House agenda for urgent deliberation

BANGKOK: -- Coalition whips resolved yesterday to put an amnesty bill - seen as being pushed by the red shirts - on the back burner, with the government expected to drag its feet on the matter.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625317-whips-give-thai-amnesty-the-cold-shoulder/

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New mapping database to be set up
The Nation

Bt140-bn plan for standard maps for all agencies to avoid confusion

BANGKOK: -- A mapping database using a 1:4,000 scale will be made available in the next five years in a move to standardise usage as well as help prepare for long-term planning and development in the country, Deputy Premier Plodprasop Suraswadi said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625318-plodprasop-pushes-for-master-map-new-mapping-database-to-be-set-up/

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Chalerm to meet Mahathir over South
THE NATION



YALA: -- A volunteer ranger was killed and two others wounded yesterday when a M26 grenade hidden under the driver's seat exploded while their pickup was travelling on a road in Yala's Raman district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625319-chalerm-to-meet-mahathir-over-south/

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Thailand needs a 'grand rainbow change': academic
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand needs a "grand rainbow change" coalition to create a new set of basic rules, with a division of labour and a genuine democratic arena where all can compete, Marc Saxer, director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Bangkok office, concluded in a recent analysis of the political conflict.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625320-thailand-needs-a-grand-rainbow-change-academic/

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One killed in Buri Ram school attack
SURACHAI PIRAKSA
THE NATION



BURIRAM: -- A group of 10 men yesterday carried out a daring attack against Kan Boriban School's director Watcharapol Thongsiri and other employees in downtown Buri Ram's Muang district.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625321-one-killed-in-buriram-school-attack/

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Mother tusker shot, calf missing
The Nation



PETCHABURI: -- An autopsy on a elephant found shot dead in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi revealed a rifle bullet in her skull and that she recently gave birth, leading authorities to think she was killed so poachers could abduct her calf.

National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation department chief Manopat Huamuangkaew visited the park yesterday and was briefed by park chief Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn. Manopat also visited the scene where the elephant was found.

The autopsy found one rifle bullet and that the elephant had given birth in the past six months. An examination of her teeth determined she was 13 to 15 years old.

Wildlife authorities were collecting more evidence. The elephant's remains will be burned and sifted in a bid to find bullet fragments.

Chaiwat said he thought the baby elephant may still be in the Kaeng Krachan area and that he ordered forest officials to set up more checkpoints in a bid to catch anyone transporting the stolen calf.

He also asked the Army's "phraya seu" special task force to block routes to Myanmar.

Provincial Police Region 7 chief Hanpol Nitwibuk called for a meeting of investigators into the case. He said they were checking if officials were involved in the crime.

If so, they would face severe punishment. Police would look into all suspects with links to the illegal wildlife trade.

Assistant national police chief Jaramporn Suramanee and a team of specialists flew by helicopter to the park on Sunday to investigate.

Elephants were shot dead in the park last year, leading to suspicion park officials may be involved.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

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Top fund investors launch campaign against corruption
Apinya Manchoy
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Institutional investors have investigated over 500 companies and vowed to pour investment into a select group showing proven good governance, in their bid to boost the private sector's fight against corruption.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625322-top-fund-investors-launch-campaign-against-corruption-thailand/

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Muang Ranong salon owner reports mystery 'theft' of her national ID photo
The Nation

RANONG: -- A salon owner in Muang Ranong district has filed a police complaint that her national identity was stolen, possibly for nefarious purposes.

Phakawan Huicheelek, 45, said she could not get a temporary border pass from Chiang Rai to Myanmar on February 21 because her national ID data had come up showing the picture of a 167cm-tall middle-aged man instead.

Back home, she was told by Muang Ranong officials that it might be have been a mistake on the part of the Chiang Rai authorities, as the Ranong office's computer showed her picture with the national ID data.

However, she later tried to get a temporary border pass to Myanmar's Koh Song, and faced the same problem.

Muang Ranong district chief Surat Akkarawirojkul said he would investigate the case to see whether the mistake was intentional or down to an official's error.

Muang district and four others in Ranong were pilot areas for requiring two additional civil servants' signatures as witnesses and adding DNA testing into the national ID issuance process for applicants, especially among displaced Thais, after some people had used a loophole to enable Rohingya people or alien workers to assume Thai identity.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

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Push for 10 more Thai herbs to be added to National Drug List
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has announced a plan to push for an additional 10 Thai herbs to be put on the National Drug List in the next three years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625323-push-for-10-more-thai-herbs-to-be-added-to-national-drug-list/

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Police, CU teachers act to prevent night-time theft of student phones
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police deputy chief Manit Wongsomboon joined with Chulalongkorn University teachers have identified measures aimed at preventing a repetition of the recent spate of students being assaulted and robbed of their smart phones.

CU students had posted onto CU's Facebook page that they had on a number of occasions been the victims of helmeted thieves on motorcycles while waiting for a bus on Phayathai Road after 10pm.

The latest victim was a third-year medical student, 21-year-old Kullachat Uthaiwichakul, who was robbed on March 4.

Urging the victims to file complaints at Pathum Wan police station, Manit said police had obtained the images of suspects for checking but would, in the meantime, set up checkpoints in the Phayathai Road, Henry Dunant Road and Sam Yan area to Soi Chula 12 from 9pm to 2am.

CU security centre head Bancha Chalapirom said the university's guards would patrol the campus and surrounding area along with the police.

CU will also install additional lighting and trim overgrown trees to reduce the number of potential crime-risk areas, discourage students from after-midnight tutoring on campus, and either provide a night-time lift service for students to nearby Skytrain stations or introduce a new bus stop with sufficient lighting, he said.

As for a long-term solution, CU will install CCTV cameras around the campus and nearby areas to boost students' confidence and safety, he added.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

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CITES CONFERENCE
Five shark species and manta ray to get protection
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION



Classification in Appendix II will regulate trade in their products

BANGKOK: -- After being killed in unlimited numbers for decades, five shark species and the manta ray have won the protection of the world's wildlife and plants summit, prompting countries to regulate trade in their products.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625325-c-i-t-e-s-conference-bangkok-five-shark-species-and-manta-ray-to-get-protection/

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Police station contractor seeks to undo asset 'freeze'
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The company at the centre of the much-delayed construction of new police stations submitted documents yesterday requesting that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) release some Bt450 million in "frozen" assets.

PCC Development and Construction Co executive Pibul Udomsithikul said the frozen funds in its Chiang Mai bank account were payments for work already completed and checked by the Royal Thai Police.

DSI investigator Thawal Mangkhang said he saw no grounds to grant PCC's request. As for the DSI's attempt to retrieve the Bt5.1 billion that the Royal Thai Police had paid PCC in advance, Thawal said investigators were working to trace how the money was spent.

Pibul, whose company won a contract in 2010 to build new police stations nationwide, said the order to freeze its funds had damaged the firm. He added that since a court hadn't ruled that the company committed wrongdoing, the order was illegitimate. He said PCC would sue if the DSI ignored the request.

Insisting the project was legal from the start, Pibul said his firm submitted an offer via e-bidding and won with a price that was Bt540 million less than the Bt6.38 billion estimate. He said the bid was only 8.4 per cent under estimate, and thus wasn't too low. He also revealed that if the project was completed, the firm would see profits of about 10 per cent or Bt500 million.


-- The Nation 2013-03-12

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Neizens angry after Parliament Facebook pulls amnesty survey
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Neizens angry after Parliament Facebook pulls amnesty survey Parliament's Facebook team under House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont is facing howls of protest from the cyber-world for removing an online survey on an amnesty law after dislikes far outweighed likes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625326-neizens-angry-after-thai-parliament-facebook-pulls-amnesty-survey/

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Moves to annul Sukhumband's win
Jeerapong Prasertpolkrung,
Chanikarn Phumhirun,
Anuphan Chantana
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai Party is pushing forward with its legal challenges to have the results of the Bangkok election and the win by Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Pari-batra nullified.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625327-pheu-thai-party-is-pushing-forward-to-annul-sukhumbands-win/

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BURNING ISSUE
Abhisit's key goal is ousting Thaksin from politics
Avudh Panananda
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has charted a clear and unyielding course to root out his nemesis Thaksin Shinawatra from the political landscape or at least die trying.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625328-abhisits-key-goal-is-ousting-thaksin-from-politics/

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Falkland Islanders Vote To Remain British

Falkland Islanders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a British oversees territory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625340-falkland-islanders-vote-to-remain-british/

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High-speed rail service to Pattaya could be running within five years
By Coconuts Bangkok


Beautiful, wholesome Pattaya.

BANGKOK: -- According to Chula Sukmanob, director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, high-speed rail service to Pattaya could be a reality within the next five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625341-high-speed-rail-service-to-pattaya-in-5-years/

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PM demands clarity in Bt2tn bill
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday met with agencies involved in the development of the Bt2.2-trillion Infrastructure Development Bill, asking them to make sure the details of the projects are clear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625345-yingluck-demands-clarity-in-bt2tn-bill/

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,583.44, up 5.79 points /MCOT

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ISOC issues new measure on security for Thailand’s South
By English News



BANGKOK, March 12 – The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has unveiled a new 12-point measure to provide safety for the public in Thailand’s southern border provinces.

ISOC spokesman Lt Gen Dittaporn Sasa-smith said police volunteers and provincial police have been given more responsibility in maintaining public order and peace in the region while the military will continue to provide its support when necessary.

According to the safety measures, warning system will be installed in all sensitive areas; a 'Red Radio' network will alert authorities of suspicious activities; task force reserves will be set up to provide 24-hour security to people; existing laws will be used as control mechanics such as painting fire extinguishers and gas cylinders different colours to prevent militants from using them for attacks; checkpoints will be improved for better safety; and roadside landscaping in the southern provinces will be developed for greater safety.

Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in all areas; cooperation between provincial governors and security forces will be enhanced; stricter measures will be enforced to prevent bombs being placed by militants; safety drills will be required in city areas; enforcement of laws will be lenient when the situation improves; and ISOC and security officials will carry on their missions in the South despite the peace process between the government and a militant group.

Despite the measures, the authorities need cooperation from the people who should keep a close watch on the situation or suspicious activities, Lt Gen Dittaporn said. (MCOT online news).


-- TNA 2013-03-12

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National Security Chief seeks cabinet approval to extend emergency decree in 3 southern provinces; asserts discussion with BRN on Mar 28 will ease violence /MCOT

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Six expats arrested in Phuket on work permit offences
Nattha Thepbamrung

Company owner Maria Batura (right) is accused of having an invalid work permit.

PHUKET: -- Six East Europeans were arrested yesterday (March 11) around midday by Immigration Police in Rawai, on work permit offences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625379-six-expats-arrested-in-phuket-on-work-permit-offences/

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US ambassador urges Thai govt to fast solving elephant poaching

BANGKOK, 12 March 2013 (NNT) – US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney is calling on the Thai government to urgently address the problem of elephant poaching and issue clear-cut rules and regulations to save elephants and other endangered animals.

US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney yesterday visited a Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Kanchanaburi Province where she gave her comments, saying it was a great sign that Prime Minister Yinkluck Shinawatra had pledged, during CITES conference, to take action against ivory trade and do whatever she could to stop it. The ambassador also urged the Thai government to issue strict rules and regulations on wildlife conservation which, she believed, would help protect the animals, especially the endangered species.

The Kanchanaburi Thai Elephant Conservation Center is located on a 130-rai plot of land, 32 kilometers away from the provincial town center. It was established in 2008. The center acts as a shelter for injured and old elephants. At present, the shelter is taking care of 10 elephants.


-- NNT 2013-03-12

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Cabinet extends emergency decree in 3 southern border provinces for 3 months; NSC chief says Pattani City State may be answer to Thailand’s southern unrest /MCOT

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'Pattani City State' may be answer to Thailand’s southern unrest
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 12 – The establishment of a “Pattani City State” in Thailand’s deep South will be inevitable in resolving the chronic violence on the Thai-Malaysian border provinces, a high-ranking official said today.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625401-pattani-city-state-may-be-answer-to-thailands-southern-unrest/

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Workers to protest at embassies, Government House
By English News

BANGKOK, March 12 - Hundreds of workers threaten to rally Wednesday at three embassies and Thailand's Government House to air their grievances over what they described as unfair treatment from employers including foreign investors, according to the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee.

Committee president Chalee Loysoong told a news briefing today that since the government Bt300 daily minimum wage hike took effect January 1, the committee has received 2,158 complaints by workers.

Among those complaints were the sudden closure of factories, refusal to pay daily minimum wage of 300 baht, increased working hours without overtime wages and reduced employee fringe benefits.

Mr Chalee said the committee met with the Labour Ministry several times to sort out the problems without concluding any help to ease the burden of the workers.

Representatives of labour unions in four companies ---Electrolux Thailand, Linfox Transport (Thailand) Ltd, General Motors Thailand and NXP Manufacturing (Thailand) -- who were laid off also appeared at the news briefing.

Some 129 workers reportedly have been laid off by Electrolux Thailand and 50 from Linfox.

Mr Chalee said the committee resolved to intensify its move to fight for fair treatment for those laid-off.

About 600 workers from four companies will march to the embassies of the United States, the Netherlands and Australia to highlight the plight of Thai labourers and how the investors from those countries have treated their workers.

The workers will then carry their protest to Government House. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-12

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Injured Kaeng Krachan elephant needs urgent treatment
By English News

PHETCHABURI, March 12 – Thai government park officials are trying to save a wounded elephant, which was possibly shot by the same group of poachers, who killed a mother elephant in Kaeng Krachan National Park recently.

The female elephant was believed to be shot and wounded at the time when the mother elephant, was shot dead and her calf was believed to be taken away.

Forest rangers spotted and observed the elephant’s condition and reported to Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn.

According to the officials, the front left leg of the young female elephant is very swollen.

The elephant is sick and inactive, does not drink water and secludes itself from its herd. It is becoming emaciated and cannot walk properly on its injured leg.

Kaeng Krachan national park director will consult with veterinarians to treat the elephant. It will be sedated, so the vets can help it.

It remains unclear whether the elephant’s injury is caused by a shooting or not, but park officials believe that it needs treatment urgently as if it does not drink for several days, it will likely die. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-12

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Opponents of amnesty move urged to think again
By English News

BANGKOK, March 12 – House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont today urged opponents of the proposed legislation on amnesty to join the pro-government blocs what he called a ‘reconciliation dialogue.’

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625317-whips-give-thai-amnesty-the-cold-shoulder/#entry6196527

[Lite Beer]

Cheating Chinese Call Centers Busted In Bangkok

Nearly 50 illegal call center workers mostly from China were arrested after Bangkok police raided two homes. The call centers targeted people from China in their money scams. The arrested workers claimed to be deceived and coerced into working their jobs.

BANGKOK – March 11, 2013 [PDN]; At 3 p.m., simultaneous police raids were conducted in two Bangkok houses being used as illegal call centers to cheat Chinese people.

Full Story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/625410-cheating-chinese-call-centers-busted-in-bangkok/