Thailand Live Tuesday 10 Sep 2013

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Abhisit Unapologetic For 'Stupid Bitch' Remark
By Khaosod Online

Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra and Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva at an anti-corruption event in September 2011

BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has refused to apologise for a remark in which he attributed to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as a "stupid bitch", sparking a torrent of criticism from Ms. Yingluck′s allies.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666770-abhisit-unapologetic-for-stupid-bitch-remark/

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Anan Panyarachun turns down invitation to join political reform forum

BANGKOK, 10 Sep 2013, (NNT) - Former prime minister Anan Panyarachun has turned down the government's invitation for him to join the political reform forum, citing unclear working process.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666773-anan-panyarachun-turns-down-invitation-to-join-political-reform-forum/

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Thammasat divided over student uniforms
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thammasat University responded to student pressure on Monday, announcing that the wearing of student uniforms in class was not compulsory.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666774-thammasat-divided-over-student-uniforms/

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PLANE ACCIDENT
Eyewitness accounts
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- "BEFORE LANDING, the pilot announced that the plane would be parked a fair way from the terminal building because the runway was under construction. Everything was normal while landing, then there was a sudden brake.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666775-thai-plane-accident-eyewitness-accounts/

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UPDATE:
Flights face delays
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- PASSENGERS FLYING out of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok can expect inconvenience and delays until a runway damaged by a crash landing by a THAI flight late on Sunday night is opened again tomorrow (Wed). Work is now being done to salvage the damaged plane and repair the runway pavement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666673-suvarnabhumi-airport-80-flights-delayed/page-2#entry6807982

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PROTEST

Panel opts to double rubber subsidy

The Nation

Kittirat says the move will be for seven months to aid the production

BANGKOK: -- The National Rubber Policy Committee has decided to double the subsidy for rubber growers from Bt1,260 per rai to Bt2,520/rai for seven months, from September 2013 to March 2014, said Deputy PM and and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong announced yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666776-thai-panel-opts-to-double-rubber-subsidy/

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Singaporean "throws herself" off a 5th floor balcony at South Pattaya Hotel

PATTAYA: -- A 42 year old Singaporean reportedly threw herself off a 5th floor balcony at a South Pattaya Hotel in the early hours of Monday following an argument with her Husband.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666777-singaporean-throws-herself-off-a-5th-floor-balcony-at-south-pattaya-hotel/

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Telenor will make Thailand its fifth 4G country
BY SINE NEUCHS THOMSEN



BANGKOK: -- Norway’s Telenor is ready to invest in fourth-generation mobile broadband service in Thailand due to “unexpectedly high” data revenue growth, Bangkok Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666778-telenor-norway-will-make-thailand-its-fifth-4g-country/

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Thammasat students run racy anti-uniform ads
By Coconuts Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Posters of uniformed students in compromising positions have been erected around Thammasat University's Rangsit campus to protest against, what some students believe, is the restrictive nature of the required clothing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666774-thammasat-divided-over-student-uniforms/#entry6808032

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Phuket lifeguards ordered to pull down 'unsightly' beach station
Phuket Gazette


Karon Municipality officers have declared the lifeguard station on Karon Beach 'unsightly' and ordered it to be pulled down. Photo: Karon Municipality

PHUKET: -- Karon Municipality has decided to remove the Phuket lifeguard stand on Karon Beach on the grounds that it is unsightly and not fit for use.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666781-phuket-lifeguards-ordered-to-pull-down-unsightly-beach-station/

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BURNING ISSUE
Bhum Jai Thai ready to follow Thaksin's orders again
Hataikarn Treesuwan
The Nation


Anutin

BANGKOK: -- The Bhum Jai Thai Party, which helped Abhisit Vejjajiva become prime minister a few years ago, says it is now more than ready to follow orders from the ruling Pheu Thai Party's de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666782-bhum-jai-thai-ready-to-follow-thaksins-orders-again/

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Pheu Thai to get tough with MPs who skip debate
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai is keeping a tight leash on its MPs - with some given a warning of possible punishment - to ensure they don't skip the joint-House deliberation on charter amendment.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666783-pheu-thai-to-get-tough-with-mps-who-skip-debate/

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Thai universities drop several points in latest world rankings
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has beaten Harvard and Cambridge to retain its top spot in the 10th annual QS World University Rankings, published yesterday on TopUniversities.com/Rankings2013.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666784-thai-universities-drop-several-points-in-latest-world-rankings/

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Athapol named attorney-general
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Athapol Yaisawang was named the new attorney-general after an hour-long closed-door meeting of senators yesterday.

Chuchai Lertpongadisorn, Chiang Mai senator and chairman of the Senate committee charged with scrutinising the conduct and profiles of the nominees, provided a summary to the Senate before the closed-door meeting. The Senate then held a secret ballot in which Athapol won 137 votes, with one abstention.

The new attorney-general's name will be presented for royal endorsement soon.


-- The Nation 2013-09-10

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Floods make Highway No 108 unpassable
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Mae Hong Son highway director Preecha Sahamethapat said one traffic lane on Highway No 108 (Khun Yuam-Mae Sariang) Road would be opened later yesterday, after a forest flood severely damaged a bridge over Huai Yuak Creek in Mae La Noi district on Sunday night and made the road unsafe.

At 10pm on Sunday night, the flash flood created a four-metre wide cavity under the road, leaving the surface just 10-centimetres thick.

Vehicles were being blocked from the area, which caused a more than 2-kilometre jam on both sides.

Motorists were forced to opt for other routes such as Highway No 1095 (Mae Malai-Pai-Pang Mapha) or the Mae Chaem-Khun Yuam shortcut to reach Muang Mae Hong Son instead.

The provincial transport office director Sajja Techakomol said his office had checked with local public bus operators and prepared buses to deliver passengers to their destination.

Small trucks were also on hand to get locals around while the bridge was being repaired.

-- The Nation 2013-09-10

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Opinion

Suicide an alarming trend in America's overcrowded jails
Mary Sanchez
The Kansas City Star
McClatchy-Tribune News Service

"Good, strong shoe laces should be available day or night to all inmates who want them."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666785-suicide-an-alarming-trend-in-americas-overcrowded-jails/

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PM Yingluck stresses protection of human rights, respect to minority
By English News



GENEVA, Sept 10 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reiterated Thailand’s adherence to the principles of human rights and freedom of the people with respect to the voice of the minority.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666807-pm-yingluck-stresses-protection-of-human-rights-respect-to-minority/

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A Japanese midwife has been named winner of the 2013 Princess Srinagarindra Award

BANGKOK, 10 September 2013 (NNT) - Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on September 9, chaired a meeting of the Committee on the Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. The meeting was aimed at making the final selection of the winner of the Princess Srinagarindra Award for 2013.

This year, the committee’s meeting picked Ms. Chieko No-ohno of Japan as winner of the 2013 award. Her Royal Highness is scheduled to present the award to her on October 22, 2013 in a ceremony to be held at the Moon Sathan Boromma-artThrone Hall in the Grand Palace.

The Princess Srinagarindra Award was created in 2000 to commemorate the Centenary Birthday Anniversary of late Princess Mother Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Mahidol. It is granted each year to individual registered nurse or registered midwife or group of registered nurses or midwives who have made a significant contribution for the development of the nursing and midwifery profession and/or quality of life and health of people at local and international levels.


-- NNT 2013-09-10

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Thai stock index opens on Tuesday at 1,394.33, up 10.02 points /MCOT

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Train derails in Suphan Buri early Tuesday

A train heading to Bangkok derailed on Tuesday early morning in Suphan Buri province. No one was injured when the train slipped from the tracks at Malai Man station at 4am.


-- The Nation 2013-09-10

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US officials visit National Parks Dept, praises Thailand for its modern system

BANGKOK, 10 September 2013 (NNT) – United States officials have paid a visit to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to observe the DNP’s operation in tackling illegal wildlife trade.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666828-us-officials-visit-national-parks-dept-praises-thailand-for-its-modern-system/

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Two soldiers killed, one severely wounded in bomb ambush at Yala school security booth while they are on patrol /MCOT

THAI board chairman denies staff ignored passengers during landing incident; plane to be retrieved tomorrow /MCOT

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UPDATE:
PM: Kofi Annan to join next unity forum in Bangkok

GENEVA, 10 September 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has confirmed that former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan will join the next round of the Thai government-initiated unity forum.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666807-pm-yingluck-stresses-protection-of-human-rights-respect-to-minority/#entry6808897

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Govt to intervene in corn market

BANGKOK, 10 September 2013 (NNT) – The government is set to intervene in the country’s corn market and inform the corn farmers about the government’s project to help them with the dropping corn price.

Speaking at a seminar on corn situation in Thailand, Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said the cabinet had approved the move to intervene in the maize market in order to enable farmers to receive a fair price of 7 baht per kilogram of corn with 30 percent humidity.

He said the government would ask animal feed manufacturers to increase their orders for corn by 10-20 percent, while the government would help corn growers seek new markets through cooperatives.

He added that the government was keen in boosting corn export and stabilizing traders’ liquidity, adding that all these measures would be implemented under the approved budget of 1.9 billion baht. The deputy minister also expressed his belief that these measures would stabilize prices of corn in the market.


-- NNT 2013-09-10

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Fire at Phayao Hospital prompted mass evacuation

PHAYAO: -- A fire broke out at Phayao Hospital in Phayao province on Monday morning, triggering a mass evacuation of patients.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666832-fire-at-phayao-hospital-prompts-mass-evacuation/

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Mystery over corpse found floating off Phuket
Tanyaluk Sakoot

PHUKET: -- An Asian man was found floating in the sea near Racha Island yesterday afternoon (September 9), and has yet to be identified.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666833-mystery-over-corpse-found-floating-off-phuket/

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Phuket staffer wanted for slashing manager at shopping mall
Phuket Gazette


Police are on the lookout for a staffer who slashed his manager with a knife at the popular Phuket expat shopping mall HomePro Village in Chalong. Photo: Google Maps

PHUKET: -- Chalong Police this morning are seeking an arrest warrant for a staffer at the popular expat shopping mall HomePro Village near Chalong Circle (map here) after he slashed his supervisor with a knife last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666835-phuket-staffer-wanted-for-slashing-manager-at-shopping-mall/

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Two soldiers killed and student injured in Yala's bomb attack
The Nation

YALA: -- Two soldiers were killed and a student was injured in the latest bomb attack at a school in Yala's Muang district Tuesday.

The victims were Sgt Prathet Chan-on, 34 and Private Wut Kongwoon, 22. Their bodies were thrown away due to the impact of the explosion that took place about 10am.

A student, Assadavuth Boonthien, 12, was hit by shrapnel at the forehead while another soldier; Theerapong Somjit, 22, suffered a wound at his torso, in the attack. They were rushed a nearby hospital.

Initial investigation showed that the soldiers were part of security team for teachers and students of Kanarat Bamrung 2 in Muang district and they were walking to a security booth near the entrance of the school when the explosives went off.

It is believed that the insurgents hid the explosives at the booth and triggered them upon seeing the soldiers walking to the site.


-- The Nation 2013-09-10

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Commerce Min expects over 70,000 business registrations this year



BANGKOK, 10 September 2013 (NNT) – The Commerce Minister is expecting to see more than 70,000 newly-opened businesses by the end of this year, thanks to the government’s mega-projects which will be the main factor in driving the Thai economy.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/666847-thai-commerce-min-expects-over-70000-business-registrations-this-year/

[Lite Beer]

Paradorn: Next peace dialogue will be in mid-October

BANGKOK, 10 September 2013 (NNT) – The National Security Council (NSC) has revealed that the next peace dialogue between Thailand and the BRN insurgent group is likely in mid-October.

Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr, NSC Secretary General, said he expects a new round of dialogue with the BRN leaders to be held in mid-October after the NSC has reviewed the 5-point demand of the BRN with related units. He said the demands will be studied and discussed by the Committee to Mobilize Policy and Strategy to Solve Problems in the Southern Border Provinces. According to the secretary general, the BRN insists on its 5 proposals and claims their demands do not violate Thailand’s constitution.

In its proposals, the BRN calls upon the Thai government to recognize the identity, race and language of the Melayu people, to withdraw its troops from the restive southern region, to let local security forces take over peacekeeping duties, and to offer amnesty to insurgents.

-- NNT 2013-09-10