Thai PM hails Thai Night extravaganza in Davos as a success

BANGKOK, Jan 29 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra hailed “Thailand Night” as a success, with more-than-expected visitors, and said she was confident that it would attract more investors to do business in Thailand.

Ms Yingluck Shinawatra attended the annual 42th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland’s Davos from January 26-29.

The prime minister said before leaving Zurich International Airport back to Thailand that the “Thailand Night” held on January 27 to build confidence among investors was hailed a success, as the number of visitors – both current and potential new investors – was higher than expected.

“I’m confident that this success will draw more participants to the 20th World Economic Forum on East Asia hosted by Thailand from May 30-June 1. More investors will be interested in Thailand because the country has a strong position and potential for investment,” the premier said.

Ms Yingluck said regarding bilateral talks with Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf that she invited Switzerland to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, to be held in Laos, PDR. Moreover, the issue of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and Switzerland was also discussed during the talks and she would bring the issue to the Cabinet meeting. If successful, it would boost trade and tourism between the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations, she added.

Speaking about her interviews with CNBC and Euro News, the premier said the media asked about the situation in Thailand, concerning water management and internal security. She gave them confidence the situation has returned to normal and Thailand is now a peaceful country. Regarding the country’s economic growth, she told them Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) is targeted to grow five percent this year.

Touching on an earlier terror alert in Thailand, she said the WEF meeting did not ask about the travel warning alert to Thailand related to a possible terror plot. Many countries have already withdrawn the alerts. Ms Yingluck said the lack of inquiries meant that other countries are confident that it is safe to travel to Thailand.

Ms Yingluck is due to arrive in Thailand at around 1:35 pm local time on Sunday (Jan 29). (MCOT online news)

Sirikit Dam discharges more water ahead of rainy season

UTTARADIT, Jan 29 – Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit province has released more water, aiming to cut retention capacity to less than 50 percent in preparation for the next rainy season.

Thanarat Phumimakasikorn, Director of the Sirikit Dam, said that the Sirikit Dam was contacted by the Royal Irrigation Department’s water management committee to increase water discharge from the dam, in line with the government’s policy to increase discharge volume to 44 million cubic metres from 30-35 million cubic metres per day released over January 27 to April.

It targeted to a retention capacity of less than 50 percent, as it assessed increased rainfall in the upcoming rainy season. The dam on Sunday released 46 million cubic metres per day and will raise the volume of discharged water to 50 million cubic metres per day on January 31 in accordance with the plan.

Regarding downstream areas, according to a survey on downstream Nan River, there is no report of significant impact. However, low-lying farmland in Uttaradit’s Tron district and Phichai district may eventually be impacted by the release of 50 million cubic metres.

He said authorities warned local residents and explained to them why such a large amount of water needed to be discharged from the dam to better create understanding. (MCOT online news)

Police seize meth pills, ice worth Bt200 million in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Jan 28 – Thai authorities in joint operation on Saturday detained 10 suspected drug dealers with 400,000 methamphetamine pills and 24 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as "ice," with a street value of Bt200 million in the capital.

Suradech Saelee, Alu Saelee, Ater Saehuang, Ekkapoj Saejang and other members of the suspected drug syndicate were arrested at a restaurant in Soi Ramkhamhaeng 24/3, Bang Kapi district by combined forces of police and officials of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Department of Special Investigation and the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

The detention came after police were informed that a large lot of illicit drugs would be smuggled by the drug ring based in the northern region into Bangkok for sale to customers.

Following the tip-off, authorities pretended to buy the crystal meth, worth Bt40 million, from Mr Alu and had an appointment with him at a hypermarket store before arresting him.

Then, Mr Alu was ordered to call other members of the alleged drug syndicate at the restaurant, asking them to deliver 24 kilogrammes of crystal meth at Rajamangala Stadium before the officials rushed to inspect the restaurant where the illicit drugs were believed to be hidden.

According to the inspection, the officials found four suspects and 400,000 speed pills contained in a blue plastic box.

Meanwhile, the authorities have followed up the investigation for further arrests of the drug ring in Thailand’s northern region where detainees claimed that they received the drugs.

Initially, the suspects were charged with possession of illicit drugs with intent to sell and for sales of illicit drugs. (MCOT online news)

Two stateless children, two adults, released from immigration jail

BANGKOK, Jan 27 – Two stateless children being held at Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre, their mother and another adult family member were released from Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok on Friday.

The sister and brother, 13-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother, members of an indigenous ethnic group in the mountains of Vietnam, their widowed mother and another family member arrived in Thailand in 2008 seeking asylum, but were later detained in Chiang Mai for about 18 months since mid-2010.

National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) chairperson Dr Amara Pongsapich told a news briefing that the children’s freedom resulted from joint efforts and collaboration among the NHRC, the Immigration Bureau and the Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR).

It was a solution to help the stateless to get a proper treatment in accordance with human rights, she said.

The TCR hailed Thailand's move, saying "it marks Thailand’s historic development in human rights protection."

"The release represents Thailand’s restless efforts to promote and protect human rights of children in compliance with its fundamental obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Thailand ratified on Feb, 12 1992," the TCR said.

Following the release, the girl said she was delighted and would like to further her study. She wanted to be a lawyer to secure a release of detained stateless persons. Now she would like to be granted opportunity to live with her uncle in the United States.

Her mother also said she wanted the United Nations to help facilitate her family for resettlement in any third country.

St. Andrews International School granted the two children full scholarships of Bt1 million during their entire stay in Thailand upon the release.

Veerawit Tianchainan, TCR Executive Director, said the release of the two stateless children and their family was a pilot scheme. There are about 50 other stateless persons still being detained and needed help. (MCOT online news)

Chalerm pledges to eradicate drugs within one year

BANGKOK, Jan 28 -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung said illicit drug suppression was one of the government policies announced during the election campaign, and he was confident that involved authorities would be able to make considerable advances in the “War on Drugs” within one year.

Pol Capt Chalerm filled in for the prime minister on her TV programme "Yingluck Government meets the People" with National Police Chief Pol Gen Prewpan Dhamapong and Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Secretary General Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkeo, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr Chalerm, in his capacity as Director of the National Command Center for Drugs (NCCD) said the drug problem was on the national agenda and he intended to root it out in Thailand.

He stated efforts must start from blocking the entry of narcotics from neighboring countries, combined with strict law enforcement and rapid crackdowns on local drug rings.

The number of drug users would be reduced and they would be taken for treatment, he said.

The government would ask for cooperation from neighbouring countries to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs, said the deputy prime minister.

Meanwhile, entertainment venues would be asked to help authorities to eliminate drugs in their places, he said, adding that with these measures illicit drugs could be significantly reduced within one year.

As for the drug trade in the prisons, Mr Chalerm said that measures would be sought to solve the problems.

He planned to set up a special prison for groups of inmates involved with drugs with special prison staff who were well prepared to deal with these issues. The first could be a prison in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhio district. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

BANGKOK, Jan 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) today and tomorrow (Jan 27-28) in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Following her official visit to India as chief guest at the 63rd Republic Day celebration, Ms Yingluck travels to Switzerland for the WEF. This year's theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that occurred in many parts of the world.

The main objectives of the Thai premier's participation in the Davos forum focus on building a good image and showing Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuilding confidence among leaders and investors on Thai economy after the flood crisis last year that caused huge damage.

Ms Yingluck said that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

The premier said she believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence on the part of foreign investors to maintain their existing businesses in Thailand and moreover it could bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Over 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year’s meeting.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on “Defining the Imperatives for 2012” covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called ” Women as the Way Forward,” intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Ms Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on “Public-Private Interaction on Thailand” to seek ways to develop Thailand's economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The Thai prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also discuss with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens “Thai Night” this evening as an invitation and to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Ms Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders as another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand. (MCOT online news)

Thailand seeking strategic partnership with India

NEW DELHI, Jan 26 -- Thailand is seeking a strategic partnership with India and is ready to develop bilateral cooperation between the two nations at all levels while seeking ways to foster the relationship between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.

Visiting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday led Thai delegates to a plenary meeting with Indian counterparts led by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Thai premier said that Thailand has emphasised bilateral relations with India through a ‘Look West and Look East’ policy to strengthen close ties between the two countries.

She praised the significant growth and development of India during the past two decades as India has played an increasingly prominent role in the world arena and more Indian businesspersons were ranked in the annual Fortune 500 list of top global companies.

Thailand and India will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, which is a good opportunity for the two countries to develop bilateral ties as strategic partners for mutual benefit at the regional and international level, she said.

Thailand has proposed speeding up negotiations to wrap up the Thai Indian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by March in order to implement a Thai Indian FTA by mid-2012, aiming to double the two countries trade volume by 2014.

India and Thailand also agreed to set up a CEO Forum to support cooperation between the public and private sectors of both two countries.

Thailand's premier proposed working groups to expand the existing cooperation covering science and technology, information technology and services, education, culture and environment, while seeking new fields of cooperation such as disaster management, energy, oil and gas exploration, water resource management.

Ms Yingluck also proposed linkages between Thailand, India and ASEAN through the existing framework including ASEAN-India Summit, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Both countries agreed to set up a working group on security to exchange information to tackle terrorism, transnational crime, illegal labour force, illicit drugs and the working group concluding in a Treaty on Extradition and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Civil and Commercial Matters.

Thailand has proposed opening its first Board of Investment (BoI) office in Mumbai in late 2012 and setting up an India-Thailand Investment Forum to promote investment which India is now considering.

After meeting, Thailand and India signed six agreements covering military cooperation, prisoner exchanges, and science and technology cooperation.

Ms Yingluck earlier made a courtesy call on Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to offer congratulations on the Republic Day of India and to thank India for its assistance to Thailand during last year’s flood crisis.

Ms Patil praised Ms Yingluck as new generation of leader while Ms Yingluck lauded the Indian leader’s role in promoting the role of women and human rights. (MCOT online news)

Gov't makes agreements with City Hall on flood prevention

BANGKOK, Jan 26 – Thailand’s central government on Thursday concluded agreements with the capital’s authorities, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), on future flood prevention preparations and responses.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi spoke after a meeting assigned by Prime Minister Yingluck but chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit on how to boost the efficiency of water management in the capital and the surrounding region.

The agreements comprise a Bt1.9 billion budget, already received, for the BMA (the Thai capital’s City Hall) to repair flood embankments along major canals, install water pushing machines to speed the evacuation of water, and pumps, and to improve the drainage system of the Phasi Charoen Canal in western Bangkok. It is also to allow military personnel or other agencies to dredge 29 major canals for more efficient drainage.

The Royal Thai Navy will build 100 more water diversion machinery installations, and with the Ministry of Science and Technology will act as consultants on permanent water equipment machinery installation in each province asking for help.

The army will dredge 300 smaller canals using a Bt770 million budget from the newly-established Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM).

The BMA will allocate its Bt24 million budget to build a warning system linked with the SCWRM system to build a consolidated warning system for the capital and the rest of the country. City Hall asked for water management to be done systematically and continually so the waterflow does not block, and eventually cause floods, in any particular area.

The meeting of the central government and the BMA agreed as well that water drainage through eastern Bangkok must succeed this year by dredging and linking canals.

The science and technology minister said the agreements will help assure Bangkok residents that there will not be floods in the capital, or if they do occur, for only a short period of time, while assuring investors that Bangkok's economic centres and production sites will be fully protected.

City Hall will do as the agreements say, he said, noting that he will formally report the meeting's decisions to the prime minister and the cabinet. Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul represented Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who was away on duty abroad. (MCOT online news)

Pheu Thai threatens legal action against Democrats over impeachment move

BANGKOK, Jan 26 - Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party on Thursday said it will file a counter charge against the opposition Democrat Party and its 145 MPs for filing a false petition against the prime minister and foreign minister on their alleged role in returning a passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit announced the move following the Democrat Party filing of a petition with Senate Speaker Theeradej Meepian to impeach Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Tuesday.

The Democrat petition signed by 145 party MPs accused the premier of intentionally neglecting her duty, and Mr Surapong of violating several foreign ministry regulations including the return of a passport to a person with an outstanding arrest warrant.

The Democrat action was in response to Mr Surapong's remark last December that he had returned an ordinary passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin as a ‘New Year's gift’ and that his action complied with ministerial regulations and was within his authority as foreign minister.

Mr Prompong commented today that the Democrat move is considered politically motivated and attempted to link the premier with the reissuance of the passport to Mr Thaksin.

Regarding the Democrat statement that no progress has occurred since its MPs submitted a letter of complaint to Ms Yingluck on Dec 28, asking her to suspend the reissuance of the controversial passport by Jan 9, the spokesman said the Democrat deadline was too early and that the Democrat Party action interfered with the government's work and tried to discredit the government.

Mr Prompong argued that the issue of the return of passport to Mr Thaksin was merely a differing view between former foreign minister Kasit Piromya and the current minister. The prime minister however had already assigned the foreign ministry to look into the matter.

Spokesman Prompong accused the Democrat Party of intentionally filing a false complaint and said that the Pheu Thai legal team will file a countercharge against the party and its 145 MPs who endorsed the impeachment petition.

The deposed premier's ordinary passport was revoked in mid-April 2009 by the foreign ministry under the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration following political turmoil and street clashes between the Red Shirt supporters of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the government’s security forces.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in Sept 2006, Mr Thaksin was convicted and given a two-year jail term after being found guilty of violating Thailand’s conflict of interest laws in helping his then-wife secure a parcel of state land in a prime commercial area of Bangkok. He now lives in self exile and spends most of his time in Dubai. (MCOT online news)

PM Yingluck, in New Delhi, aims to expand Thai-Indian trade, investment

NEW DELHI, Jan 25 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has met with Thai businesspeople in the Indian capital and is due to hold talks with India’s Prime Minister to expand cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.

The Thai prime minister and her delegation met the Thai business community in India at the Taj Palace Hotel on Wednesday morning.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman and the Thai Chamber of Commerce South Asia committee, consisting of representatives from the Charoen Pokphand Foods and Italian-Thai Development, also attended the meeting.

Ms Yingluck asked them about business opportunities and obstacles they face and a working panel gathered information on that to find solutions later. She then will meet with Indian leaders aiming to double two-way Thai-Indian trade and investment.

The Thai prime minister attended an official welcoming event, being greeted by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and inspected a guard of honour, and went on to pay respects at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial where she laid a wreath before signing a visiting book.

Ms Yingluck was scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at the Taj Palace and discuss many issues including reducing visa processes to facilitate tourists and businesspeople as well as setting up a Thai-India foundation to promote cultural exchange between the people of both countries.

At noon, she was to pay a courtesy call on Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to offer congratulations on the Republic Day of India and to thank India for its assistance to Thailand during last year’s flood crisis. Thailand is in the process of rehabilitation and designing an overall water resource management system.

At 6.30pm, she will again meet the Indian prime minister for talks on bilateral cooperation, and strengthening the strategic partnership and economic connectivity. (MCOT online news)

Democrats file impeachment charges against PM, Foreign Minister

BANGKOK, Jan 24 - Thailand's Opposition Democrat Party on Tuesday filed an impeachment petition against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul for their alleged roles in connection with the return of a Thai passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wirat Kalayasiri, leader of the Democrat legal team and Democrat MP for Songkhla, submitted a petition endorsed by 145 Democrat party members of parliament to Senate Speaker Gen Theeradej Meepian Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Wirat said the Democrat action resulted from the prime minister intentionally neglecting her duty, while Mr Surapong infringed several foreign ministry regulations including the return of a passport to a person with an outstanding arrest warrant.

In December, Mr Surapong disclosed that an ordinary passport was returned to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin as a ‘New Year's gift’ for him, insisting that the action complied with ministerial regulations and was within his authority as foreign minister.

Mr Wirat said Democrat MP Chaiwut Phongphaew on Dec 28 submitted a letter of complaint to Ms Yingluck, asking her to suspend the reissuance of the controversial passport, but no progress has been made ever since.

Mr Wirat said he will also file the complaint with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to examine the case against the premier, the foreign minister and some involved senior foreign ministry officials.

The deposed premier's ordinary passport was revoked in mid-April 2009 by the foreign ministry under the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration following political turmoil and street clashes between the Red Shirt supporters of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the government security forces.

Mr Thaksin, at that time, was accused of using Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as his base to allegedly encourage unrest by his supporters.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in Sept 2006, Mr Thaksin was convicted and given a two-year jail term after being found guilty of violating Thailand’s conflict of interest laws in helping his then-wife secure a parcel of state land in a prime commercial area of Bangkok. He now lives in self exile and spends most of his time in Dubai. (MCOT online news)

Thailand’s new education minister to expedite educational opportunities

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – Education Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech on Wednesday pledged to speed up expanding educational opportunities for Thai students.

Delivering a policy statement to education administrators, educators and support workers nationwide via live broadcast on his first day of work, the minister said he would expedite expanding educational opportunities for students to have equal access to education-related resources and funding sources. He pledged to promote skills training, lifelong learning and efficient learning by utilising technologies.

The ministry will offer tablet personal computers for Grade 1 students, he said, adding that the project is underway as relevant officials are coordinating with the Chinese government to reach a government-to-government agreement.

Apart from improving the learning process for students, the policy implementation will also help strengthen and improve teachers’ lives and resolve teachers’ debts.

Mr Suchart promised to tackle drug problems and education-related corruption in schools and educational institutions.

Before heading to the Teachers’ Council of Thailand to deliver the policy statement, the new minister earlier took a public bus to the Ministry of Education, saying he wanted the people to see him as an ordinary man like others who ride the buses.

Upon arriving at his office, Mr Suchart was warmly welcomed by ministry officials and supporters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the Red Shirt movement. (MCOT online news)

Death toll in Suphan Buri fireworks blast rises to four

SUPHAN BURI, Jan 25 -- One more victim in the Suphan Buri fireworks explosion has died in hospital, raising the death toll in the tragedy to four, while 74 persons overall were injured in Tuesday night’s incident.

Three people died at the scene and the fourth, one of those seriously injured later died at hospital, all men. Twenty people remain hospitalised.

The event was held at the City Pillar Shrine near the community’s Museum of the Descendants of the Dragon, or Heavenly Dragon Park. Fireworks lit up the sky to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year festival held at this central province on Tuesday.

Minister of Public Health Wittaya Buranasiri visited the survivors at two local hospitals last night, and reported that 54 persons were discharged from hospital after treatment, while 20 others remained in two local hospitals, Chao Phraya Yomaraj and Supamitr.

Fifteen persons were admitted at Chao Phraya Yomaraj Hospital while five others were admitted to Supamitr Hospital, he said, among them three who were seriously injured.

Meanwhile, Mr Wittaya said he asked Chao Phraya Yomaraj Hospital to open its doors as a temporary shelter for the victims whose homes were damaged by the fire that engulfed the community at Wat Phra That, the neighbourhood temple which was also severely damaged.

The minister said he liaised with Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Suphan Buri Governor Somsak Phurisrisak to provide care for the victims.

An investigation is underway to find the cause of the incident to determine whether the blasts were caused by malfunctioning or failure of equipment, or by human error. (MCOT online news)

Army dismisses reports of Thai-Cambodian military clash

BANGKOK, Jan 25 – The Royal Thai Army on Wednesday dismissed reports of a renewed clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at Ta Kwai Temple, but conceded that one soldier was wounded in a gunshot accident.

Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd stood firm that there was no military clash at the Surin province bordering Cambodia.

Col Sansern said the Second Army Region Command reported that the wounded soldier was Cpl Veerawat Pairoh, accidentally shot in the leg while on patrol along the border as another soldier fell and accidentally shot him with his 9mm pistol. The wounded man was sent to hospital.

The army spokesman said there was no reaction from Cambodian soldiers following the accident.

Second Army Region commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn who oversees the border area earlier said that no clash between troops of the two neighbours had occurred.

Ties between Thailand and Cambodia have been strained with sporadic clashes between their troops since the historic Preah Vihear temple was granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but a 4.6 square kilometre (1.8 square mile) surrounding area remains in dispute as both countries claim ownership of the tract.

The court, last July ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the newly-defined demilitarised zone in a disputed portion of their border around the temple while urging both countries to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to agree to allow the regional bloc's observers to enter the disputed zone.

The two neighbours agreed to follow the court’s order and use the General Border Committee mechanism to consider details in implementing it. (MCOT online news)

Democrats file impeachment charges against prime minister, Foreign Minister Surapong

BANGKOK, Jan 24 - Thailand's Opposition Democrat Party on Tuesday filed an impeachment petition against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul for their alleged roles in connection with the return of a Thai passport to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wirat Kalayasiri, leader of the Democrat legal team and Democrat MP for Songkhla, submitted a petition endorsed by 145 Democrat party members of parliament to Senate Speaker Gen Theeradej Meepian Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Wirat said the Democrat action resulted from the prime minister intentionally neglecting her duty, while Mr Surapong infringed several foreign ministry regulations including the return of a passport to a person with an outstanding arrest warrant.

In December, Mr Surapong disclosed that an ordinary passport was returned to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin as a ‘New Year's gift’ for him, insisting that the action complied with ministerial regulations and was within his authority as foreign minister.

Mr Wirat said Democrat MP Chaiwut Phongphaew on Dec 28 submitted a letter of complaint to Ms Yingluck, asking her to suspend the reissuance of the controversial passport, but no progress has been made ever since.

Mr Wirat said he will also file the complaint with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to examine the case against the premier, the foreign minister and some involved senior foreign ministry officials.

The deposed premier's ordinary passport was revoked in mid-April 2009 by the foreign ministry under the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration following political turmoil and street clashes between the Red Shirt supporters of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the government security forces.

Mr Thaksin, at that time, was accused of using Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as his base to allegedly encourage unrest by his supporters.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in Sept 2006, Mr Thaksin was convicted and given a two-year jail term after being found guilty of violating Thailand’s conflict of interest laws in helping his then-wife secure a parcel of state land in a prime commercial area of Bangkok. He now lives in self exile and spends most of his time in Dubai. (MCOT online news)

Former Thaksin aide gets Interior post

BANGKOK, Jan 24- The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday appointed a former personal secretary of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as secretary to the interior minister, Government Spokesperson Thitima Chaisang said on Tuesday.

Padung Limcharoenrat was appointed to replace Aree Krainara, former chief guard of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirt movement.

Ms Thitima said she was appointed the prime minister's deputy secretary general for political affairs. The Cabinet also assigned her to work as a caretaker government spokesperson.

In addition, Shinnawat Haboonpad, was appointed an advisor to the transport minister, while Wan Yubamrung, a son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, was appointed an advisor to the deputy transport minister.

Other postings are Sombat Rattano, as advisor to the deputy transport minister, Surachet Chaikosol as a secretary of the transport minister, and Wichienchanin Sinthuprai, as an assistant secretary of the deputy transport minister. (MCOT online news)

Chinese New Year tourism boom

SONGKHLA, Jan 24 – Thailand’s tourism ambiance during the Chinese Lunar New Year festival drew large numbers of Thai and foreign travellers streaming into the major southern province of Songkhla as well as the northern province of Chiang Rai.

Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association, said Tuesday that a large number of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists crossed the border to join activities in Songkhla during the Chinese New Year festival. On average 10,000-20,000 Malaysians daily crossed the Thai-Malaysian border in Sadao district during the holiday, he said.

Thanks to numerous visitors from the neighbouring country crossing the border to Thailand, the traffic near the border crossing on the Malaysian side was congested. A road was reportedly jammed pack with vehicles as far as 10 kilometres.

Meanwhile, all hotel rooms in the Songkhla metropolis of Hat Yai were fully booked, Mr Somchart said.

In the southern province of Satun, many domestic and foreign tourists were visiting islands around the Tarutao National Park, according to Panapon Cheevaserichon, assistant park chief.

He said that ferry boat service took a full load of passengers with every trip and that operators had to provide additional boats to meet the passenger demand.

Elsewhere, cool weather in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai attracted a large number of visitors during the Chinese New Year. Many tourists visited the Mae Fah Luang Garden to enjoy decorative plants and winter flowers.

The Lunar Chinese New Year is one of the most important occasions in Thailand, particularly among ethnic Chinese Thai people. (MCOT online news)

Chiang Mai opens Chinese New Year celebration at China Town

CHIANG MAI, Jan 23 -- Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai on Monday opened its 10th Chiang Mai Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival 2012 at Waroros Market area in the heart of the city.

Chiang Mai Mayor Tassanai Buranupakorn and Chinese Consul-General in Chiang Mai Zhu Weimin jointly presided over the opening ceremony to launch the festive event with an almost one kilometre long procession.

The festival is intended to celebrate the New Year and to preserve the inheritance of Thai-Chinese traditions and to spur the tourism industry and help stimulate the economy of Chiang Mai.

During the Chiang Mai Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival, the public is enjoying a musical performance by the Chinese National Opera coming directly from Beijing to celebrate the new year with the Thai people.

Moreover festivalgoers could witness the 60-metre long Golden Dragon Dance, one of the longest dragon dance processions in Thailand, and a Lion Dance from several Chinese provinces with a variety of cultural processions.

It was expected that more than Bt100 million would be in daily circulation during the two-day festival that ends Tuesday. (MCOT online news)

Ethnic Chinese Thais pay homage at shrines nationwide

BANGKOK, Jan 22- Many Thais of Chinese descent flocked to temples and shrines in Bangkok's Chinatown and other provinces to pray for good luck on the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Monday.

Along Bangkok's Yaowarat Road, center of the Chinese community, many people in red clothes paid homage to their ancestors and then headed with family members to shrines to seek blessings for happiness and prosperity.
Brisk trade could be seen in the area where shoppers were doing last-minute shopping before the holiday with their families on Monday. Some traders said this year's sales were slightly up from last year, despite the higher cost of goods.

Preparations are underway for the two-day Bangkok Chinatown Festival 2012, which is to be presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn at 5pm on Monday. Yaowarat Road has becomes a sea of crimson, with red lanterns hanging all along the route.

The holy Lim Ko Niao Shrine in the southern border province of Pattani was also packed with a large number of worshipers from the neighbouring provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

Prayoondej Kananukarak, chair of the shrine foundation, said the year of the dragon drew an unusually high number of visitors, as many believed that it was an auspicious year. Special activities, including a traditional lion dance, will be organised throughout the evening until midnight, when the firecrackers would be set off and the sky is lit up with fireworks.

In Hat Yai, the commercial district of the South in Songkhla province, both Thais of Chinese descent and Malaysians paid homage to Chinese traditions at various shrines. The atmosphere was reported as lively, with shops open early to service tourists.

In Trang, senior provincial officials and businesspeople as well as 10,000 civilians donning white offered alms to 10,000 monks and novices from 286 temples in 14 southern provinces at the city centre. They also donated items to monks of the four southern border provinces where it is too dangerous for them to go out for alms. (MCOT online news)

Billions of baht in illicit drugs found during police search of rented house in Pathum Thani

BANGKOK, Jan 21 -- Over 2 million methamphetamine pills, 30 kg of crystal metaphetamine or ice, and 20 kg of heroin worth billions of baht found during police search of a rented house in Pathum Thani.

The search came after Highway Police tried to arrest a suspected drug dealer on Friday at Phra-in Racha sluice gate in Khlong Raphipat in Bang Pa-in district of Ayutthaya but during the getaway the suspect's sedan lost control and fell into a canal between the motorway. The driver managed to escape as police found two bags of ice weighing three grams an ID from an organisation bearing the name of Mr Nipon Kanchart and a name card of a Lieutenant General.

Pathum Thani Provincial Police Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Jirawat Naewchampa said there was no one in the rented house but there was a car parked on the premises.

During a search of a room under the stairs, police found over 2 million methamphetamine pills wrapped in packs, more than 30 packages of ice at one kg per package and more than 20 packages of heroin also at around one kg per package.

Police estimated that the illicit drugs worth billion baht of street value.

According to an initial investigation, Mr Nipon rented the house for Bt20,000 per month from a former beauty queen and TV star.

Provincial Police Bureau 1 Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Kamronvit Thoopkrachang has inspected the seized drugs and reported to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung. (MCOT online news)

No political agenda for Thaksin's visit to Laos: Noppadol

BANGKOK, Jan 22 - Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage Site for Laos PDR, on Jan 19-20 for merit-making before returning to Dubai and did so without any political agenda, his legal adviser Noppadol Pattama said on Sunday.

Mr Noppadol said the visit had nothing to do with political issues, in particular the latest cabinet reshuffle of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister.

"He only mentioned that the reshuffle would strengthen the government's stability, as it would be able to facilitate work in solving the country's post-flood problem," his legal adviser said.

Ousted in the 2006 coup, the twice-elected prime minister has mainly stayed in Dubai during his self-imposed exile after he was sentenced in absentia to a two-year jail term for violating conflict of interest laws while securing a prime piece of Bangkok property for his then-wife at a below-market price.

Regarding criticism that the appointment of Nalinee Taveesin as Minister to the Prime Minister's Office was the result of her close ties with Thaksin, Noppadol said he had no knowledge of their relationship, but said Ms Nalinee was a capable person who had been before elected a Bangkok senator.

Noppadol said he was confident that Ms Nalinee would be able to clarify to the public the accusations that she was on a US blacklist owing to alleged business links to Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. (MCOT online news)

Survey: Charter amendment may deepen society rift

BANGKOK, Jan 22 - More than half of Thais polled fear any attempt to amend the country's constitution might lead to further conflict in society, while 81 percent are against any coup attempt to topple the Pheu Thai-led government, according to a survey released on Sunday.

The ABAC Poll was conducted by Assumption University among 2,153 people by random sampling in 17 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, between Jan 15-21 regarding the public's view towards the country's sensitive political issues and power seizure.

Of those surveyed, 54.5 per cent believed that the constitution amendment might cause further rifts among the people, while 51 percent were concerned about the push for revision of the lese majeste law concerning the monarchy.

Another 49.6 per cent said nepotism among government politicians while 37.7 per cent indicated the government's decision to compensate political protest victims at a different rate than those security officials operating in the insurgency-plagued southern border region as factors for societal rifts. Another 34.1 percent said the problem was the recent cabinet reshuffle bringing tarnished appointees into office.

Regarding their opinions on government performance over six months, a clear majority of those polled, or 80.1 percent, saw a poor record for the Pheu Thai-lead administration of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when tackling the country's economic problems, in particular the rising costs of living and the energy price hike.

However, 76.3 percent acknowledged the government's outstanding work in fighting against illegal drugs. In addition, 75.6 percent said they did not see any progress by the government in solving the country's deep divisions.

Another key issue of the survey was public opinion on a coup attempt, it found that a majority of those polled or 81.7 percent are against another coup to topple the government, down from 94.6 percent in the previous survey on January, 2010, with the number of coup supporters rising from 5.4 percent in the last poll to 18.3 percent.

Furthermore, 21.1 percent said they would come out in force to oppose a coup, but 52.7 percent stated otherwise, saying they would likely do nothing. The remaining 26.2 percent expressed no opinion on the issue.

The survey's margin of error was indicated as plus or minus 7 percent. (MCOT online news)

Nalinee will not quit cabinet post

BANGKOK, Jan 22 - Newly-appointed Minister to the PM's Office Nalinee Taveesin insisted on Sunday that she will not step down, but asked the public to give her the opportunity to prove herself following US government accusations that she had business links with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe.

Nalinee told a news conference that she was introduced to the Zimbabwean president and his wife in 2002. Mugabe's family visited Thailand on several occasions where she welcomed them and facilitated all their visits as a host, enjoying a cordial social relationship with one another.

A year later, she learned that the US government imposed sanctions on Mr Mugabe and his family members, as well as those who aided them. The US government cited human rights abuses and political violence against opposition demonstrators as reasons behind the sanctions.

The US Treasury Department in November 2008 named her as a businesswoman who facilitated a number of financial, real estate, and gem-related transactions on behalf of Mugabe's wife Grace. The action culminated in the freezing of her US-based assets and a ban from financial or commercial transactions with US citizens.

In an attempt to clear her name, Nalinee said on Feb 15, 2009 she designated a US legal attorney to file an inquiry to seek clarification from the US government, as well as evidence to back up its claim, but her request remains thus far unanswered.

Following a royal endorsement on the recent cabinet reshuffle, Nalinee said a group of people disseminated distorted information through social media networks which led to a misunderstanding that she was on a US blacklist and banned from US entry for suspected involvement in serious crimes.

The former Thai trade representative said she did not want the issue to become politicised.

"May I be the final political victim who fell prey to such grave accusations which has caused gross misunderstanding," Nalinee said.

She also implored for a chance to use her expertise and extensive relationships with foreign leaders to work on behalf of the national interest.

Nalinee and other cabinet members are scheduled to take an oath of allegiance before His Majesty the King on Monday before beginning their new responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, opposition Democrat Party spokesperson, claimed that the appointment of Nalinee was believed to be involved with mining industry interests in Africa linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. (MCOT online news)

NSC chief affirms terror suspect detention made according to law

BANGKOK, Jan 21 - National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-Genl Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree affirmed that the detention of Atris Hussein, a Lebanese-Swedish terror suspect, was made according to law and evidence.

His comment was made after Mr Hussein, held on terrorism charges at the Bangkok Remand Prison, gave an interview to a Swedish newspaper on Thursday that he had been framed by the Mossad, or Isarel's Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations. The suspect insisted he was innocent.

On Jan 13, the US Embassy in Bangkok published on its website warning of a possible terror incident on Thai soil. Over ten embassies in the country subsequently followed suit.

Mr Hussein was detained, also on Jan 13, while leaving the country at Suvarnabhumi Airport under immigration law after the Thai government was tipped off by US and Israeli officials about a planned terror attack in the Thai capital by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and political party supported by Israel and Syria.

Meanwhile, Assumption University's ABAC Poll revealed 57.2 per cent of those surveyed said they did not think the Thai government was ready to manage terrorism, while 58 per cent viewed it was possible for terrorism to occur in Bangkok, as state officials did not strictly perform their duties, lacked experience, and could be influenced or paid off by wrongdoers.

The poll was conducted on how Bangkokians viewed terrorism in the capital, among 1,174 persons over 18 years old in Bangkok from Jan 18-20.

Seventy-three percent of respondents said they followed this news. Over half of those surveyed (or 55 per cent) answered that they believed the United States' information on the terror alert rather than that of the Thai government.

About 63 per cent noted a special budget is needed for the Royal Police Bureau in order to patrol and monitor the situation, and create confidence among Thais and foreigners.

ABAC Poll's researcher, Puntaree Issarangkul Na Ayudhaya, suggested the government consider a special law reform on budget and data analysis integration to quicken authorisation of the Thai prime minister for following and tackling national security issues. (MCOT online news)

PM remaining silent on issue of Nalinee

BANGKOK, Jan 21 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday was silent on whether her fellow Pheu Thai party members pressured Nalinee Thaveesin to resign from a ministerial post, only saying that she will reexamine the issue.

Ms Yingluck, who presided over the opening of the Centre for Creative Community under Ploenchit expressway, declined to comment on reports that Pheu Thai party members put pressure on Ms Nalinee to resign from the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office post after she was named by the United States as a business crony of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.

The US Treasury Department in 2008 used the term crony to describe the relationship of Ms Nalinee and three other persons with President Mugabe. The move culminated in Ms Nalinee's assets in the US being frozen and Washington banning her from doing business or conducting any financial or commercial transactions with US citizens.

Ms Yingluck only told reporters that she would investigate the issue once again.

The premier earlier defended her decision on Ms Nalinee’s posting, saying that her qualifications as an appointee had been checked and met all the Thai constitutional requirements.

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday endorsed the cabinet reshuffle proposed by Ms Yingluck and she was scheduled to lead 16 newly-appointed cabinet ministers to take an oath of allegiance to HM the King on Monday at 5.30 pm at Siriraj Hospital before the new ministers officially start work. (MCOT online news)

PM announces 2012 flood management master plan

BANGKOK, Jan 20 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday announced her government’s water management 2012 master plan to increase the efficiency of the flood-prevention system and to integrate water management operations to speed draining water into the sea.

In announcing the water management master plan of the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM), the premier said the large amount of rainfall, triggered by tropical storms from June through October, 2011, on average 39 per cent in the North and 22 per cent over the Central Plain, caused flash floods and flooding affecting 400,000 households and killing 676 persons. Environmental damage costing Bt1.42 trillion occurred and about one million labourers were affected.

She said the government realised it is important to lay out a sustainable water system and to restore confidence among the public, farmers, businesspeople and investors.

Under the plan, three main principles are to improve the flood prevention system, to build confidence in preventing floods in residential areas, farmland, business and industrial areas and lastly to integrate the cooperation of agencies concerned in draining water rapidly into the sea.

Ms Yingluck said the water management guidelines will focus on forestation of upstream water sources in line with His Majesty King Bhumibol’s initiative.

Slowing down water streams and building dykes will prevent severe torrents of water. In the central region, floodways and water retention area will be the focus. Speedy water drainage into the sea will be an important matter for downstream areas.

The prime minister said the 2012 action plan is to minimise damage. A budget of Bt18.1 billion has been allocated to create data, forecasting and warning systems which are efficient and integrated. A national water information centre will be set up to forecast the up-to-date water situation and issue warnings.

In industrial areas, flood walls, sluice gates and water pumping stations will be built to protect industrial estates. Roads will be built to be also used as dykes. Soft loans and a Bt50 billion insurance fund will be set up to build confidence among investors.

The prime minister said an integrated water management organisation in a form of single command will be established to handle the whole water management system including improvement of warning system and response to an emergency.

Flood rehabilitation will be improved and public and private participation will be encouraged. Sustainable flood relief action plan targets to adjust water resource management by developing data, forecast and warning systems with a budget of three billion baht.

A budget of Bt60 billion will be allocated for forest and ecosystem rehabilitation and another Bt60 billion for designation of ten water retention areas and assistance for affected people. Extra compensation will be provided people affected by the measure to change about two million rai of areas currently used for irrigation farming into water retention basins during the rainy season. (MCOT online news)

AoT exempts charges to help flood-affected airlines

BANGKOK, Jan 20 - The Airports of Thailand (AoT) on Friday announced that it would exempt landing and parking charges for aircraft to help airlines affected by the flood crisis at Don Mueang airport last year.

AoT closed Don Mueang airport temporarily on Oct 25, as flood waters flowed onto the runways. After being flooded for almost two months, AoT is repairing airport infrastructure and the facility is scheduled to reopen on April 1.

The agency, which manages, operates and develops airports in Thailand, said the charges would be retroactive from Oct 25 until March 2012 before Don Mueang resumes normal operations.

The exemption would cost AoT some Bt110 million in revenue, it said.

The move is part of the rehabilitation measures to help the airlines which were severely hit by one of the worst flood crises in Thailand's history, said AoT.

As for the office and real property rental, service and other charges including retail shops inside and outside the terminals as well as the charges for some airlines that swiftly relocated to temporary facilities at Suvarnabhumi airport, AoT would charge them at the same rate as Don Mueang airport.

AoT estimated that Bt440 million would be spent for repair and maintenance works at Don Mueang, with Bt305 million being used to improve the eastern runway, driveway and parking area scheduled for completion in February. Maintenance work for the western runway, driveway and parking area would cost Bt135 million for commercial service expected to be ready in March.

Currently, AOT has six international airports under its responsibility -- Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai and Suvarnabhumi -- all of which accommodate both domestic and international flights. (MCOT online news)

Thailand, Philippines agree to strengthen ties

MANILA, Jan 19 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III pledged on Thursday to strengthen bilateral ties and expand broad-based cooperation.

Ms Yingluck and her entourage arrived at the Philippine capital Thursday morning and were welcomed by President Aquino at his official residence. The two leaders then had a discussion, followed by a one-hour plenary meeting.

At a joint news conference, the Thai premier thanked the Philippines for their warm welcome and for their assistance when Thailand faced the flood crisis, while expressing condolences regarding the recent flood in the Phillippines.

Ms Yingluck said she believed her travel to the country will strengthen the ties of both nations, as the Philippines and Thailand were co-founders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and have similar types of democracy and governance.

The success of the discussion will be based on the mutual benefits of the peoples of both countries and the region, she noted.

The Thai premier also asked for the Philippine president's support to resolve double taxation, which is the main obstacle to Thai investors.

In addition, she also asked Manila to help the Thai private sector to invest more easily in the Philippines, while urging it to prepare the two countries' fifth bilateral joint commission meeting to cooperate on matters of economy, education, drug problems and transnational criminals.

Concerning food security, the Philippines and Thailand are ready to join hands on the issue, particularly on rice, which Thailand stood ready to export more rice to the Philippines, according to Ms Yingluck.

The Thai premier also said Thailand is to support peace and security in South China Sea.

Both countries are determined to successfully create the ASEAN Community in 2015 in order to link with its member states and other countries, she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Aquino praised democracy in Thailand and said the Philippines is ready to cooperate with Thailand at both bilateral and multilateral levels such as in terms of stronger trade and investment as well as studies and joint natural disaster prevention between both nations.

As the Philippines is interested in importing Thai fruit, the president noted that obstacles to trade will be reduced and said he will assign his agriculture minister to visit Thailand to discuss reducing mutual trade barriers, particularly for agricuttural produce.

Mr Aquino hosted a luncheon at his residence for the Thai premier and her delegation, after which the group left for Thailand in the afternoon. (MCOT online news)

Opposition leader urges PM to review Nalinee posting

BANGKOK, Jan 20 - Thailand's opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday called on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to review her decision on the appointment of Nalinee Thaveesin as Minister to the PM’s office after she was named by the United States as a business crony of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.

The US Treasury Department in 2008 used the term crony to describe the relationship of Ms Nalinee and three other persons with President Mugabe. The move culminated in Ms Nalinee's assets in the US being frozen and Washington banned her from doing business or conducting any financial or commercial transactions with US citizens.

The opposition leader said both Ms Yingluck and Ms Nalinee should clarify the matter to the public.

The premier earlier defended her decision on Ms Nalinee’s posting, saying that her qualifications as an appointee had been checked and met all the Thai constitutional requirements.

Ms Nalinee told local media that she had known the Mugabes for more than a decade, but denied she had ever had a business relationship with them.

Mr Abhisit however noted there are many people qualified for the job and questioned why the government decided to appoint "person with trouble".

The opposition leader said although there is no problem in legal terms, but it is about "appropriateness" and the premier should take clearer stance on this.

With the US statement, it is understood that any internationally-related work of Ms Nalinee as well as the image of the Thai government will be affected, the former prime minister commented.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in Nov 2008 designated four Mugabe regime cronies and a number of entities owned or controlled by two of them. It said the financial and logistical support they have provided to the regime has enabled Robert Mugabe to pursue policies that seriously undermine democratic processes and institutions in Zimbabwe.

“Those designated include John Bredenkamp, a well-known Mugabe insider involved in various business activities, Muller Conrad Rautenbach, a Zimbabwean businessman who has maintained close relations with the Mugabe regime, Nalinee Joy Taveesin, a Thai businesswoman who has facilitated a number of financial, real-estate, and gem-related transactions on behalf of Grace Mugabe, and Mahmood Awang Kechik, a Malaysian urologist and one of Robert Mugabe's physicians and business advisors.”

Dated and issued four years ago, the statement said that "ironically, Nalinee Taveesin has participated in a number of initiatives on corruption and growth challenges in Africa and Southeast Asia while secretly supporting the kleptocratic practices of one of Africa's most corrupt regimes.” (MCOT online news)

Arrest warrant sought against second terror suspect

BANGKOK, Jan 19 - Thai police are now seeking court approval for an arrest warrant against another suspect believed to be involved in a possible terror plot and to be linked to a militant group in Lebanon, national police chief Pol Gen Prewpan Dhamapong said on Thursday.

The police's sketch of the suspect was drawn based on the account given to police by Atris Hussein, a Lebanese-born man holding a Swedish passport and a terror suspect now being detained for illegally possessing explosive materials in a rented building, Gen Prewpan said.

The owner of the building also confirmed the description of the new suspect, the police chief noetd, but he declined to give details about the suspect for fear that it might affect the case.

Thai police have asked Interpol to help track down the suspect as it is still not known if the man has left the country or not, he said.

Gen Prewpan also revealed that the investigation found that Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon, rented ten containers preparing to export explosive chemicals to another country.

After the arrest of Mr Hussein last Friday, Thai police on Monday searched a warehouse in Samut Sakhon province, west of Bangkok, and seized urea fertiliser and liquid ammonium nitrate, linked to the suspect.

Atris Hussein has been further detained for illegally possessing explosive materials for 12 days under the criminal court order at Bangkok Remand Prison from Jan 17-28 pending questioning of about 30 witnesses.

In the aftermath of last week’s terror threat alert issued by the US embassy in Bangkok, followed by the warnings from 18 countries in Asia and Europe, Thai Deputy Prime Minister/Tourism Minister Chumphon Silpa-archa admitted on Thursday that the US warning had slightly affected the country's tourism industry and tourist confidence.

Mr Chumphon said some tourists opted to change their planned trip in Bangkok to destinations in the North and the South instead after the US embassy stood by its warning despite the arrest of one terror suspect.

The minister added he will visit tourist-packed areas including Khao San Road this evening to boost confidence among foreign visitors.

Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar meanwhile said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned concerned agencies to set up a committee to compile information and assess the situation for the tourism minister and a joint committee of the state and public sectors on tourism to determine how to handle with it if the terror alert continues. (MCOT online news)

Thailand-Lao open Chiang Mai-Luang Pabang bus route

CHIANG MAI, Jan 19 – A second class air-conditioned bus route opened Thursday from Chiang Mai to Luang Pabang as the 8th route linking Thailand with the Lao PDR.

The route opening ceremony was presided over at this northern province's 3rd Chiang Mai bus terminal (Arcade 2) by Silpachai Jarukasemratana, Transport Ministry's Deputy Permanent-Secretary acting as permanent-secretary.

The journey takes 18 hours and the fare is Bt1,200.

Once the fourth bridge across the Mekong River from Thailand, linking Chiang Khong with the Lao PDR's Huay Xai, is finished next year, first class air-conditioned buses will replace the second services with a fare of Bt1,500.

The new route is intended to boost tourism, investment and economy between the two nations.

Meanwhile, Mr Silpachai said the high-speed train project from Bangkok-Chiang Mai, as earlier approved by the cabinet, should be ready for service in 2017.

He said currently it is the study process which must be done within one year in order to indicate which route is to start first. Apart from the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, two other preliminary routes are in the project --Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok-Hua Hin-- according to the deputy permanent-secretary.

The transport ministry official added that the main obstacle for such a project is the construction of new railroads, and that its impact on the environment needs to be studied thoroughly.

The high-speed rail journeys are expected to link the entire country within 3-4 hours, Mr Silpacha said. (MCOT online news)

Thai PM hails Thai Night extravaganza in Davos as a success

Sirikit Dam discharges more water ahead of rainy season

Police seize meth pills, ice worth Bt200 million in Bangkok

Two stateless children, two adults, released from immigration jail

Chalerm pledges to eradicate drugs within one year

Thai PM attending WEF to revive world leaders, investor confidence after flood crisis

Thailand seeking strategic partnership with India

Gov't makes agreements with City Hall on flood prevention

Pheu Thai threatens legal action against Democrats over impeachment move

PM Yingluck, in New Delhi, aims to expand Thai-Indian trade, investment

Democrats file impeachment charges against PM, Foreign Minister

Thailand’s new education minister to expedite educational opportunities

Death toll in Suphan Buri fireworks blast rises to four

Army dismisses reports of Thai-Cambodian military clash

Democrats file impeachment charges against prime minister, Foreign Minister Surapong

Former Thaksin aide gets Interior post

Chinese New Year tourism boom

Chiang Mai opens Chinese New Year celebration at China Town

Ethnic Chinese Thais pay homage at shrines nationwide

Billions of baht in illicit drugs found during police search of rented house in Pathum Thani

No political agenda for Thaksin's visit to Laos: Noppadol

Survey: Charter amendment may deepen society rift

Nalinee will not quit cabinet post

NSC chief affirms terror suspect detention made according to law

PM remaining silent on issue of Nalinee

PM announces 2012 flood management master plan

AoT exempts charges to help flood-affected airlines

Thailand, Philippines agree to strengthen ties

Opposition leader urges PM to review Nalinee posting

Arrest warrant sought against second terror suspect

Thailand-Lao open Chiang Mai-Luang Pabang bus route
 

Advertisement