Thailand Live Friday 29 Mar 2013

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NATIONAL FOOTBALL
Football manager Schaefer expects to keep Thailand job
The Nation


Winfried Schaefer

BANGKOK: -- Beleaguered coach Winfried Schaefer hinted at a strained relationship with Worawi Makudi by admitting that he had not talked with the Football Association of Thailand president for a "long time".

The FA is due to decide on the German's fate in its board meeting on Sunday, which comes after a 5-2 defeat last Friday in Lebanon that left the Thais without a point from their opening two matches in the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Coming hot on the heels of a 3-1 loss at home to Kuwait last month, the reversal in Beirut heaped more pressure on the 63-year-old Schaefer, whose tenure has been under microscope since he failed to help Thailand reclaim the Asean Championship title in December.

Just days away from learning whether he will keep a job he has held since 2011, Schaefer revealed on his Facebook page that since returning from Lebanon he had not talked with anyone at the FA, including its boss Worawi, about his future.

"My contract isn't finished in August or in December but at the end of 2014. Neither the president nor the general secretary [Ong-art Kohsinkha] has ever talked to me about a contract termination.

"I have no idea what the general secretary told the media about the meeting at the end of this month. In the last weeks I have not talk to him about anything other than internal matters concerning Charyl Chappuis and the organisation of our trip to Qatar and Beirut.

"And, I haven't talked to the president for a long time, except for very, very brief moments on the phone, but about completely different topics," said Schaefer.

The veteran coach went on to defend his handling of the Charyl Chappuis case, in which the Buriram United midfielder was cleared too late to play for Thailand against World Cup hopefuls Lebanon.

"My team took over and negotiated directly with Fifa on the case. In Qatar and Beirut we talked to Fifa every day and finally, on Friday, March 3, they called us to say their judgement had been sent to the AFC and the FA on time.

"But for some reason the AFC and Thai FA didn't send a copy to the match commissioner. The AFC explained to us [the fax arrived late due to] technical problems. So Charyl was not allowed to play. But he is now, and that's a fact - free to play for the Thai national team."


-- The Nation 2013-03-29

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CONTROVERSIAL LOAN
Loans not needed: Abhisit
The Nation



Kittiratt says borrowing Bt2 trillion to fund projects no threat to fiscal discipline

BANGKOK: -- The opposition yesterday agreed that the country needs massive infrastructure investment but found fault with the government's plan to seek a Bt2-trillion project loan through issuing a special decree and bypassing the annual budget, which could lead to lax fiscal discipline and ballooning public debt.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629317-loans-not-needed-abhisit/

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Brazilian doctor may have killed 300 patients
Anne Barrowclough

CURITIBA: -- A Brazilian doctor who has been charged with killing seven patients to free up beds in a hospital intensive care unit may have been responsible for up to 300 deaths, according to investigators.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629318-brazilian-doctor-may-have-killed-300-patients/

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LESE MAJESTE LAW
Man jailed for 3 years and 4 months
PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- A man who was arrested in March 2011 for selling pirated copies of an Australian documentary critical of Thai monarchy and WikiLeaks papers was sentenced to three years and four months in jail yesterday for violating the lese majeste law.

The Criminal Court found Ekachai Hongkangwan guilty of violating the Constitution's Article 8, which stipulates that the monarchy must be held in reverence. The judges said the content of the documentary produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) defamed the Crown Prince, his consort and the monarchy in general. WikiLeaks papers, which were found inside Ekachai's satchel when he was arrested, contained text defamatory to Her Majesty, the court said. The verdict said Ekachai should consider "the feelings of [Thai] people" who revere the monarchy and that his intention to "make people believe in this information caused damage to the monarchy's reputation".

The original sentence was five years, but since the defendant admitted to owning and selling the material, judges decided to cut it to three years and four months. He was also fined Bt66,666 for selling videos without permit. The 37-year-old was visibly disappointed and said he would appeal the verdict, insisting that both the documentary and the WikiLeaks papers were only a simple criticism, not slander. He was waiting for the result of his bail request as of press time.

-- The Nation 2013-03-29

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BURNING ISSUE

Legislature, courts caught up in political divide

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Political anxiety is bound to rise, because the lines that mark the separation of powers are becoming blurred.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629319-legislature-courts-caught-up-in-political-divide-thailand/

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SOUTH CRISIS
Nine of 15 delegate members attend dialogue
THE NATION



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Only nine of the original 15 members of the Thai delegation turned up in Malaysia for a peace dialogue with insurgents' representatives yesterday. The dialogue is taking place at a police facility in Kuala Lumpur.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629320-nine-of-15-delegate-members-attend-dialogue-in-kuala-lumpur-thai-south-crisis/

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EDITORIAL
Factors combine to encourage illegal casinos
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Underpaid police officers and widespread addiction to gambling mean this issue is unlikely to disappear any time soon; the only solution is amendments to the laws

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629321-factors-combine-to-encourage-illegal-casinos-thai-editorial/

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Court ruling on infrastructure bill sought
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Seventy-seven lawmakers yesterday filed a request with the House Speaker seeking a Constitution Court ruling on whether the Public Private Partnerships bill violates the charter.

Appointed Senator Paiboon Nititawan said if the bill takes effect, it would be used by the government to facilitate the implementation of projects under the Bt2-trillion borrowing bill without undergoing scrutiny.

Paiboon claimed the legislation contained several provisions that violate the charter. For example, he said, the bill's Article 28, which empowers the Cabinet to approve fund allocations, transgresses Article 169, which stipulates that budget allocation must be done in accordance with the laws on budget expenditure, budget procedures and budget transfers.

Article 15 of the bill, Paiboon said, bypasses the need to select a private firm through a bidding process, as it stipulates that the Private Participation in State Undertaking 1992 Act would not apply.


-- The Nation 2013-03-29

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Compensation for 10 protesters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A panel set up to rehabilitate people who face charges related to political rallies from 2005-2010 has decided to pay a total of Bt8.1 million in compensation to 10 people, Rights and Liberties Department director-general Pol Colonel Narat Sawettanant said yesterday.

Of the 10, those who were jailed for more than 90 days but less than 180 days will be given Bt750,000 in compensation, while those detained for more than 180 days will get Bt1.5 million.

The panel chose to defer the cases of 13 people from Udon Thani, citing insufficient evidence.


-- The Nation 2013-03-29

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Suspended terms for 2007 siege
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Former senator Jon Ungpakorn and nine other activists were yesterday handed suspended jail terms after the Criminal Court convicted them for their role in the siege of Parliament in 2007.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629322-suspended-terms-for-siege-of-thai-parliament-in-2007/

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Tremors in Mae Hong Son
THE NATION

MAE HONG SON: -- Two small earthquakes hit Mae Hong Son's Pai district yesterday morning.

The first took place at 6.16am and measured 2.7 on the Richter scale. The second struck two minutes later with a magnitude of 2.9.

According to the Mineral Resources Area 1 Office, the epicentres of both quakes were in forest zones, reducing the effects felt by local people.

The office said the quakes were the result of movement along the Mae Hong Son Fault, in response to earlier seismic activity around Myanmar's Sakaeng Fault.

In less than one month, there have been 15 earthquakes along the Sakaeng Fault. The biggest took place on Tuesday with a magnitude of 4.5.

Over the same period, there have been eight earthquakes in Thailand's northern region. Their magnitudes have ranged between 1.3 and 3.4 on the Richter scale.


-- The Nation 2013-03-29

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Deal on medical staff's pay
PUANGCHUMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has reached an agreement on the new method of calculation for medical workers' extra pay. The new method will take effect from April 1.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629324-thai-health-ministry-reached-agreement-on-medical-staffs-pay/

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Central Bank: Thai baht situation improves
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 29 – The Thai currency has slightly weakened due to the outflow of US dollars and Thai investors’ purchases of the US currency in higher volumes, a senior central bank official said today.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629330-central-bank-thai-baht-situation-improves/

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People not allowed to splash water down from pickup trucks during Songkran

File photo: Source: Wikipedia.org

BANGKOK, 29 March 2013 (NNT) – The Ministry of Interior aims to ban the practice of carrying water containers on pickup trucks and splashing water down from the trucks, for the upcoming Songkran water festival.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629331-songkran-people-not-allowed-to-splash-water-down-from-pickup-trucks/

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Public Health Ministry warns of health risks from outdoor activities

BANGKOK, 28 March 2013 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry is warning the public to beware of health problem risks from outdoor exercises and activities in the face of scorching hot weather.

Director-General of the Health Department Dr. Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, on Thursday, expressed worries about rising temperature in Thailand and its impact on people who are to engage in outdoor activities over a certain period of time.

Dr. Jedsada stated that such conditions can lead to dehydration and heat stroke, particularly among pregnant women, children and obese people.

He said that the at-risk groups are to take good care of themselves, especially against heat stroke, which is caused by excessive heat that the body cannot catch up with in time and eventually drives body temperature above 40 degree Celsius.

In that case, the situation, coupled with dehydration, can worsen fast and may eventually become fatal for the person who suffers all of these conditions.

Therefore, the Health Department Director-General is urging people, who are at risk of such problems, to avoid staying or exercising outdoor and under the sun for too long, particularly on a very hot day, while drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water each day and refraining from alcoholic drinks.

In addition, Dr. Jedsada suggested the public to opt for light-color clothing made of natural fabric that allows airflow and also to wear sun protection lotion SPF15 or stronger before going out.


-- NNT 2013-03-29

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BMA warns city residents against dengue risk and outbreak

BANGKOK, 29 March 2013 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is warning the city residents to beware of possible dengue outbreak and to exterminate all mosquito-breeding sites around them.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629332-b-m-a-warns-bangkok-residents-against-dengue-risk-and-outbreak/

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RT @mpoppel: REU: SKOREA'S YONHAP NEWS AGENCY REPORTS INCREASED ACTIVITY AT

NKOREA'S MID TO LONG RANGE MISSILE SITES

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Sukhumbhand officially starts working as Bangkok governor; Aswin Kwanmuang, Pusadee Tamthai, Jumpon Sampaopon are deputies /MCOT

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RT @mpoppel: BREAKING - Yonhap: S. Korea's military reports "sharply increased" movements of vehicles and soldiers at N. Korean missile sites

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North Korea threatens missile attacks on US, South Korea

SEOUL: -- North Korea on Friday issued a new threat to attack the US, reacting to a show of force by two US B-2 stealth bombers that dropped inert munitions onto a South Korean training ground not far from the North Korean border.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629344-north-korea-threatens-missile-attacks-on-u-s-south-korea/

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Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,554.64, down 10.07 points /MCOT

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CORR: Thai stock index opens on Friday at 1,554.64, up 10.07 points /MCOT

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Japan backs Thailand as ASEAN Economic Community hub
By Digital Media

BANGKOK, March 29 – Japan fully advocates Thailand’s vision to become the hub of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) given the country’s capability as a business springboard for the Mekong region, according to the Japanese ambassador to Bangkok.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629353-japan-backs-thailand-as-asean-economic-community-hub/

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Feature

Tourists fight the flab at Thai boxing camps

by Daniel Rook

PHUKET, Thailand, March 29, 2013 (AFP) - In a sweltering training camp on a tropical Thai island, sweaty tourists wearing oversized gloves and baggy shorts slam their fists, knees, elbows and feet into a row of heavy bags.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629384-tourists-fight-the-flab-at-thai-boxing-camps/

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Re-elected Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand starts first day of work
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, March 29 – Re-elected Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra began the first day of work today following the Election Commission (EC)'s official endorsement.

Mr Sukhumbhand arrived at City Hall at 9am amid cheerful greetings from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials. City Clerk Ninnart Chalitanont officially handed him his work.

The new governor then called a meeting of BMA staff to discuss the implementation of pressing missions and policies.

The top priority policies include installation of 20,000 closed circuit television cameras, recruitment and formation of community volunteers to monitor crimes and drug problems, and fare reduction for the BTS Skytrain on the On Nut-Baring line.

Mr Sukhumbhand won the March 3 city election, edging out his closest rival, former deputy national police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen who ran under the ruling Pheu Thai banner.

The five-member EC on Wednesday voted four to one to allow the Democrat candidate to return to his previous BMA office although investigations into allegations against him are not finished. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-03-29

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Finance Min affirms sufficient funds for car rebates

BANGKOK, 29 March 2013 (NNT) – The Finance Ministry has affirmed that the government has enough funds to pay back on car rebates under the first-car-buyer program.

According to Deputy Finance Minister Thanusak Lek-uthai, the ministry has enough money for the car rebates, assuring that the car owners who are entitled to rebates on April 5th will get the refund.

He further revealed that Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong who is also in charge of the Comptroller General’s Department had already approved the borrowing from other budgets, especially those that have not been used, to cover the disbursement of rebates.

Meanwhile, Comptroller-General Manas Jamveha said in order for the department to spend treasury reserves, the move has to be approved by the finance minister.

He further disclosed that the government had not expected to see such a huge number of buyers participating in the first-car scheme until it became popular. As a result, the allocated budget is not enough to cover the entire program.


-- NNT 2013-03-29

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Bombing hits Narathiwat's Yi-ngo district this morning; no casualty, M79 grenade attack misses Ra-ngae district office last night /MCOT

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Deal-signing with contractor for new parliament building delayed

BANGKOK, 29 March 2013 (NNT) - The signing of the deal to build the new parliament has been postponed, raising uncertainty over when and whether the contractor, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, would be the one to build it.

House of Representatives Secretary-General Suvichak Nakwatcharachai said that the House was still unable to sign a deal with the contractor, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Ltd., who had offered to build the new parliament building for 12 billion baht.

According to the Secretary-general, the deal would have to be approved first by the Cabinet and the Attorney General. He was unable to specify when the deal would be signed, he said. The deal was earlier scheduled to be inked on April 28.

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Ltd is a publicly listed company, but about 25 per cent of its shares are owned by Bhumjaithai party leader Anuthin Chanweerakul and his family.


-- NNT 2013-03-29

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Foursome back in Phuket after record odyssey



PHUKET: -- Four Russians have finally reached the island after an epic first-of-its-kind voyage around the world on an inflatable catamaran, battling storms, broken equipment and, on one occasion, a shark that mistook one of the air-filled hulls for a whale.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629407-four-russians-back-in-phuket-after-record-odyssey-around-the-world/

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Police seize THB5 million in cocaine hidden in lingerie
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- At 5pm yesterday, police and the Customs Department announced the arrest of two women and one Nigerian man who had allegedly smuggled 1,240 grams of cocaine into the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/629409-suvarnabhumi-airport-customs-seize-bt5m-in-cocaine-hidden-in-lingerie/