Thailand Live Wednesday 27 Mar 2013

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MAE HONG SON
Building comes first at refugee camp
THE NATION



MAE HONG SON: -- Additional donations of items to the fire-ravaged refugee camp in Mae Hong Son's Khun Yuam district will have to be postponed for the time being, as officials focus first on building shelters for the refugees.

Structures to store donated items are not yet available, an official at the clinic operated by Myanmar doctor Cynthia Maung said.

The refugee camp in Khun Yuam district shelters thousands of refugees. A fire erupted there last Friday killing 36 people and injuring many others.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Promlert said his department had already set up a centre to co-ordinate efforts to help the affected refugees. "We have sent water trucks, a satellite-communication truck, power generators and more to the camp," he said.

He said about 800 tents had been provided for the refugees so far. Medical workers were also dispatched to take care of the health of the refugees.


-- The Nation 2013-03-27

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HEALTH
Doctors 'already quitting'
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation


Doctors and public health personnel based outside Bangkok who are campaigning against a new scheme which affects their payments gather outside Government House yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628794-rural-thai-hospitals-fear-exodus-over-p4p-plan;-doctors-already-quitting/

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LOAN BILL
2-pronged attack planned
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra speaks to the media yesterday about her alleged concealment of assets in connection with a Bt30-million loan she gave to her husband

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628796-thai-govts-loan-bill-debate-to-focus-on-potential-for-corruption-huge-debt-burden/

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PEACE TALKS
BRN wants troops out of far South
Nakarin Chinnawornkomol
The Nation



Sets conditions for meeting in KL with Thai officials tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement has set nine conditions for peace talks in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow with the Thai government, a security source said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628797-barisan-revolusi-nasional-b-r-n-wants-thai-troops-out-of-far-south/

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Chopper crew safe
The Nation

UBON RATCHATHANI: -- A Royal Thai Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing yesterday morning at a farm in Ubon Ratchathani's Muang district, but its four-member crew were unharmed.

A radio message to a control tower said the chopper experienced engine problems briefly after it took off.

However, after a 30-minute repair, the 40-year-old US-made UH-1H flew back to Wing 21, at the 1st Air Division, where it is based.

Police reached the scene at around 11am, but did not receive calls for help from the crew, and the RTAF had not issued a statement about the incident at press time yesterday evening.


-- The Nation 2013-03-27

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TOURISM
Smog fails to hurt Chiang Mai tourism sector so far
Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit
The Nation

CHIANG MAI: -- Smog that is blanketing the North has not had any impact on the tourism industry so far, but operators have expressed concern that if the problem persists, they will be affected.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628799-smog-fails-to-hurt-chiang-mai-tourism-sector-so-far/

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STOPPAGE TIME
Don't underestimate the charm factor
Tulsathit Taptim

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628800-dont-underestimate-the-charm-factor-thai-opinion/

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EDITORIAL
Why can't we learn from past experience?
The Nation

Thais suffer year after year from inadequate contingency planning to mitigate the effects of extreme weather and natural disasters

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628801-thai-editorial-why-cant-we-learn-from-past-experience/

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Judges named for Noppadon case
Kesinee Taengkhiao
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court yesterday named nine judges to preside over the case involving former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for a charge of lapse of duty in 2008.

The prosecution contends that Noppadon committed malfeasance by failing to consult Parliament in regard to a joint communiqué on Preah Vihear Temple signed with his Cambodian counterpart. The presiding judges will rule on April 26 whether the case merits judicial review.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is the plaintiff and will appoint legal counsel after the Office of the Attorney General declined to take up the case.


-- The Nation 2013-03-27

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232 officers promoted
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Army chief's younger brother was among the 232 military officers promoted in the mid-year reshuffle of fiscal 2013, with effect from April 1.

Third Army Corps commander Lt-General Preecha Chan-ocha, who is the younger brother of Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has been promoted to commander of the Third Army Area. Lt-General Walit Rojanapakdi, who was seriously injured in a bomb attack in April 2010, has been appointed as commander of the First Army Corps.

In the previous military reshuffle, Walit failed to get appointed as the First Army Area commander but was instead "punished" by being appointed as the Army's assistant chief-of-staff in charge of logistics. This latest promotion was viewed as a move to "ensure justice" for him.

Nine women officers also were promoted to become generals in the latest reshuffle, which was endorsed by His Majesty on Monday and countersigned by PM Yingluck Shinawatra.


-- The Nation 2013-03-27

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O-NET exams being ignored by students
Supinda Na Mahachai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has found that many students who took this year's Ordinary National Education Test (O-NET) scored zero after ignoring the exams because they had already secured a place at university via the direct admissions process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628803-o-net-exams-being-ignored-by-students/

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MOTOR SHOW
Auto makers look to region
Kingsley Wijayasinha
The Nation


The Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens to the public today, is expected to set a new sales record of 60,000 orders.

Major auto-makers at Bangkok expo target buyers from around Asean

BANGKOK: -- While this year's Bangkok International Motor Show could set a new sales record of 60,000 orders, major auto-makers are not only looking at the Thai market but also all of Asean.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628805-bangkok-international-motor-show-2013-is-expected-to-set-a-new-sales-record/

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EC to endorse Sukhumbhand as Bangkok Governor today

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The Election Commission is set to endorse M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra today as the investigation into complaints against M.R. Sukhumbhand cannot be finalized in time.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628810-election-commission-to-endorse-sukhumbhand-as-bangkok-governor/

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DPM Chalerm and police chief announce seizing of 600 million baht worth of Ice & heroin

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – 12 hill tribesmen have been arrested by narcotics suppression police for trafficking 600 million baht worth of drugs in the North.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung and National Police Commissioner Adul Saengsingkaew announced that the drug bust resulted in the seizure of 38 kilograms of Ice and 42 kilograms of heroin sticks, worth a combined 600 million baht in market value.

The drug smugglers were apprehended in Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai province. The bust was planned when officials learned that Lahu tribesmen would smuggle the drugs in from the border and pass on the shipment to a group of Hmong tribesmen who lived in Chiang Rai, and that the shipment would be furthered transported to Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai to be finally handed over to narcotics traders who would then distribute the drugs throughout the country.


-- NNT 2013-03-27

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Celebrations for 231st anniversary of Rattanakosin set for April 20-22

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Culture is preparing to host a celebration for the 231st anniversary of Rattanakosin, to promote Thai people's pride in their nationality.

Minister of Culture Sonthaya Khunpleum announced that the theme of the event was “culture leading Thailand”. One of the objectives will be to allow Thais to realize the significance of the selfless deeds of all the monarchs in the past up until the present day.

During April 20-22, activities such as culture shows, traditional Thai games, retro market settings, and Thai food displays will take place at many locations on the Bangkok island of Rattanakosin. On April 21, the anniversary of the date of the setting of Rattanakosin's foundation pillar, a special merit-making religious procession will take place to make merits for the city itself.

The celebration will be hosted by the Culture Ministry together with Bangkok City Hall and the Crown Property Bureau.


-- NNT 2013-03-27

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Land Transport Dept to hold road safety promotion activities during Songkran

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The Land Transport Department is planning to execute a set of activities to promote road safety during the upcoming Songkran holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628811-land-transport-dept-to-hold-road-safety-promotion-activities-during-songkran/

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PM Yingluck concerned over smoke haze problem in North

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has expressed concerns over the smoke haze problem, which continues to hit residents in Thailand’s northern region hard.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628812-yingluck-concerned-over-smoke-haze-problem-in-north/

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Large water tanks given to military units in Chiang Mai province for use during drought

CHIANG MAI, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The permanent-secretary of the Ministry of Defense oversaw the provision of large water containers to military units in Chiang Mai province, and asked that the public refrain from clearing forests by burning.

Defense Permanent-Secretary Thanongsak Aphirakyothin handed out 25 tanks of 1,500 liter and 2,000 liter capacities to the Phamueang border security force and Rangers units, for use during the drought period. The tanks were part of a total of 180 containers purchased with the money of donors who wanted to give the tanks to soldiers and civilians who lived in border areas nationwide. General Thanongsak said that so far the military has distributed water, dredged canals and waterways, built water retention sites and planted trees, in an effort to alleviate the drought crisis.

The Defense permanent-secretary added that collaboration must be asked of the public in stopping the burning of forests, in order to reduce pollution and conserve forest resources.


-- NNT 2013-03-27

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Cabinet approval of power grid development to accommodate electricity purchase from Laos

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) – The weekly Cabinet meeting has approved the proposed plan to develop the country’s power grid to accommodate the purchase of electricity from neighboring Laos.

Government spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said on Tuesday that the Cabinet meeting has resolved to approve the proposed electric grid development project in Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon and Amnat Charoen provinces.

The project was proposed to enable the country to receive electricity, which will be purchased from Laos.

Mr. Tossaporn said the development proposal is set to cost 7.3 billion baht and the Cabinet approved the initial allocation of 2.1 billion baht from the 2013 state investment budget, as requested by the Energy Ministry.

He added that the meeting has assigned the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to be in charge of all proposals and points of observation from related agencies for further consideration in order to allow for the timely completion of the grid.

The government spokesperson said that the power purchase plan should materialize by April 2018.


-- NNT 2013-03-27

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING -- 6.1-magnitude quake hits 38 kilometers east of Nantou, Taiwan: Weather Bureau

RT @mpoppel: Magnitude 6 shaking observed at Sun Moon Lake, Nantou County: Weather Bureau

RT @mpoppel: In Taipei City, magnitude 3 shaking was observed: Weather Bureau

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Deadly refugee camp blaze leads to transfer of top Khun Yuam cop
By English News

BANGKOK, March 27 - Khun Yuam police superintendent was transferred from his post on Tuesday for failing to immediately reach the refugee camp which was on fire, resulting in 37 deaths last Friday.

National police spokesman Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said Pol Col Nitinart Wittayawutthikul has been transferred to the office of Mae Hong Son provincial police for 30 days as he did not arrive the Mae Surin refugee camp in Khun Yuam district immediately when the fire broke out.

The spokesman said Col Nitinart also failed to comply with his superior's orders and was unprepared to perform his duty.

Mae La Noi police station deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Pongsakorn Ratsameerojsakul has been assigned to temporarily replace the outgoing superintendent.

The blaze killed 37 refugees, 21 of them men and 16 women, and injured more than 100 others as fire raged at the camp last Friday.

About 3,500 ethnic Karen people live in the camp. Initial reports suggested some 2,300 lost their homes and possessions in the disaster.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong said he has instructed health officials including Surveillance and Rapid Response teams (SRRT) and malaria control units to visit the temporary shelter to prevent the possible outbreak of contagious diseases.

The minister said essential medical kits have been distributed to the affected refugees, while concerned officials are also monitoring the hygiene of food, drinking water and sanitation systems, including toilets and garbage disposal to prevent diarrhea. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-03-27

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Thailand urged to redo mobile frequency band

Summary: Two international telecom organizations say country's plan to use 700 MHz band for digital TV broadcasting would interfere with neighboring countries' networks, leading to GDP and tax revenue losses.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628816-thailand-urged-to-redo-mobile-frequency-band/

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Thai adults drinking less, but more teenagers gulp more booze
By English News



BANGKOK, March 27 – Nearly three million Thai people quit drinking alcohol in the last decade, but the number of alcoholic beverage shops has increased by 120,000 outlets, according to an independent survey.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628831-thai-adults-drinking-less-but-more-teenagers-gulp-more-booze/

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Thai stock index opens on Wednesday at 1,555.89, up 11.86 points /MCOT

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Thailand set for peace talks with rebels
by Aidan Jones

BANGKOK, March 27, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand and a key rebel group operating in the insurgency-wracked south are set to begin landmark peace talks Thursday aimed at curbing violence that has killed more than 5,500 people in nine years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628797-barisan-revolusi-nasional-b-r-n-wants-thai-troops-out-of-far-south/#entry6244109

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Commerce ministry calls meeting to revise export target

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) The Ministry of Commerce is set to hold talks with Thai economic diplomats stationed around the world in May in a bid to revise the country’s export growth target.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said that the Thai baht, which has strengthened 5 percent over the past year to over 29 per US dollar, is a consequence of short-term foreign investment in Thai bonds and the stock market through financial institutions.

Mr Boonsong expressed his belief that the Thai currency will not gain strength to an extent of impacting Thailand’s export sector in the first quarter.

The Ministry is expected to hold a meeting with directors of International Trade Promotion offices worldwide to assess the situation in the next two months. The minister added that currently, this year’s projected export growth of 8-9 percent will remain unchanged.


-- NNT 2013-03-27

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Governor orders justice in Phuket arson attack over land dispute
Phuket Gazette


The fire ripped through the homes, leaving them gutted in under 30 minutes. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut has ordered the Chalong Police to take swift action in bringing to justice the three men seen setting homes ablaze in Chalong early yesterday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628856-governor-orders-justice-in-phuket-arson-attack-over-land-dispute/

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Phuket crackdown on Russians heads north
Phuket Gazette


Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada said Russians would be targeted first as he had received many complaints from local Thai people about Russians allegedly 'stealing people's jobs'. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Local officials will start conducting raids across Phuket’s Thalang District, which covers the northern third of the island, targeting any businesses involving foreigners.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628884-phuket-crackdown-on-russians-heads-north/

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Patrons and staff of Phuket bars, nightclubs subjected to drug tests
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut has launched a campaign to conduct random drug tests at bars and nightclubs across the island.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628892-patrons-and-staff-of-phuket-bars-nightclubs-subjected-to-drug-tests/

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Chinese automobile giant to invest 9bn baht in Thailand

BANGKOK, 27 March 2013 (NNT) - A major Chinese auto makers has planned to invest 9 billion baht to build a large factory in Thailand.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/628895-chinese-automobile-giant-to-invest-9bn-baht-in-thailand/