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Thailand to boost ties with neighbours: Foreign Minister
BANGKOK, Feb 7 - Thai Foreign Minister Surapong
Tovichakchaikul on Tuesday reaffirmed that Thailand will focus on strengthening
relations and cooperation with its neighbouring countries as stated as the
government's urgent policy.
The foreign minister emphasised strategic policy
implementation as he chaired a meeting of Thai envoys and consuls general posted
in the country's five neighbouring countries--Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia,
Vietnam and Malaysia.
He urged the Thai diplomats to adhere to the government's urgent policy which
places importance on fostering relations with the neighbouring countries.
Regarding overall relations between the kingdom and its neighbours, the foreign
minister said he saw them as having gradually improved, particularly on
bilateral cooperation on several issues.
The minister cited the improved relations between Thailand and Cambodia after
documents on the border conflict were distributed to local residents to create
better understanding, while the talks on the border dispute are also underway at
various levels.
Ties between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorated following the border dispute
centred on Preah Vihear temple and related sporadic clashes. Tensions flared up
when Cambodia submitted a sole request to list the ancient temple as a World
Heritage Site and then urged the International Court of Justice to provide a new
interpretation of its 1962 ruling.
Mr Surapong stated that relations with Cambodia are now improving, and Thailand
is focusing on trade and resolving human trafficking problems.
Regarding the help to secure the release of Thai activists Veera Somkwamkid and
Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, now detained in a Cambodian jail for espionage, the
minister said no progress has been made as they must serve at least one-third of
their sentences first.
Mr Surapong said the ministry also planned to enhance border trade and open
special economic zones to facilitate trade at the borders.
The planned special economic areas that the foreign minister referred to will be
located in Mae Sot district in Tak province and Tak Bai, Sungai Kolok, and Wang
districts of Narathiwat province. The latter intends to link Thailand with
Malaysia's Kelantan State.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra discussed with the neighbouring countries'
leaders when she officially visited them, suggesting that the current temporary
border crossings should be developed into permanent ones and that the border
crossing areas should be expanded to facilitate easier border crossing,
according to Mr Surapong.
Mr Surapong said the establishment of distribution centres between Thailand and
neighbours will pave the way for the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
The foreign ministry and the interior ministry will also sign a Memorandum of
Understanding to allow Thais living overseas to apply or extend their identity
cards without returning to the kingdom as part of the diplomatic mission to
facilitate Thais living aboard. (MCOT online news)
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Thailand to discuss narcotics problems with Myanmar
BANGKOK, Feb 6 - Thailand's deputy national police chief will
visit Myanmar tomorrow to discuss cross-border narcotics concerns with the
neighbouring country’s national police chief, as about 70 per cent of drugs
entering Thailand are claimed to come from there.
Pol Gen Adul Sangsingkaew, Secretary-General of the Office of
the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), believes that both nations must exchange
more information and work jointly to control narcotics.
He spoke after presiding at the opening ceremony today of the joint conference,
one the 7th Thailand Substance Abuse Research and 2nd Second Asia-Pacific
Society for Alcohol and Addiction Research.
The two meetings being held today through Thursday (Feb 6-8) in Bangkok are
intended to spread knowledge on new types of drugs, narcotics treatments, drug
controls, and drug prevention among youth.
Regarding drug convicts in Thailand, Gen Adul said there are
drug sales in prison while inmates await the carrying out of their sentences. He
said that the punishment processes of these convicts must be more concise and
not contravene the prisoners' legal rights.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Corrections Department this week is moving 200 drug
convicts in prison from major drug rings to the high-security Khaobin Central
Prison in Ratchaburi province, southwest of Bangkok. Some initial confusion is
expected, according to Corrections Department director-general, Pol Gen Suchart
Wonganantchai.
He disclosed that in addition to the 200 named prisoners, there are another 500
inmates involved with drug buying/selling in prison to be relocated to the
Khaobin Central Prison.
The Corrections Department has measures to lower the number of drug cases in the
country by relocating drug prisoners nationwide to the maximum-security prison
in Ratchaburi, while moving out convicts serving time for other offences to
prisons elsewhere.
Gen Suchart will go to Khaobin Central Prison Tuesday to see for himself the
security measures to lock up inmates convicted of serious drug offences. (MCOT
online news)
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Bangkokians feel at highest risk due to cost-of-living, debt: Survey
BANGKOK, Feb 7 - An opinion poll released on Tuesday
indicated Bangkok residents feel the highest risk of their lives regarding
cost-of-living expenses and debt under the current Yingluck administration at a
rate of 6.75, while the survey demonstrated the scores on risk indices lowered
in almost all categories compared to last year's poll.
The Bangkok University Poll (BU Poll) was conducted by the
Bangkok Poll Centre on 1,158 persons aged over 18 in the Thai capital on the
risk indices of Bangkokians under the administration of Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra, with 10 being the maximum score at each category.
The following risks were given to Thai politics at 6.51, to lives and assets at
6.19, to natural disasters and serious epidemic at 6.08, and relationships in
families at the lowest score of 4.48.
The overall risk indices this year amounted to 5.91, which was 0.47 points lower
than in the poll conducted in January last year.
The risk index on internal politics decreased to 6.51 this year from 7.45 in
2011, while the index on natural disasters was the only one receiving a higher
score, from 5.29 to 6.08.
Meanwhile, Bangkokians want the Yingluck government to find solutions to
expensive goods and the high cost of living, held by 40.9 per cent of those
surveyed, followed by the disharmony of Thais at 22.5 per cent, this year's
flood management at 15.2, an impact on Thailand's economy, investment and
tourism at 8.5, public safety at 8.2, and traffic problems at 4.7 per cent
respectively. (MCOT online news)
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Authorities raid Trang prison; detain, move riot leaders to separate prisons
TRANG, Feb 7 – Trang provincial prison authorities raided
inmates’ dormitories on Tuesday, detaining and separating some 100 riot leaders,
and moving them to other provincial prisons to prevent further turmoil in the
jail.
Trang prison commander Krit Wongvech led some 300 wardens,
police and volunteers to search the prison compound in Zones 1 and 2 and
detained 107 inmates involved in Monday’s riot.
Thirty were hardliners while 77 others were key followers who staged the
protest, set mattresses afire and used slingshots against prison guards to vent
their anger.
The 107 will be separated and moved to central prisons in Phatthalung, Nakhon Si
Thammarat and Songkhla, Mr Krit said.
He told a news conference after separating the inmates that the prison would
consider the inmates' eight-point demand including relaxation of strict jail
regulations, improvement of inmates' welfare, provision of sufficient medication
and clean drinking water, as well as permission for delivering parcels to the
prisoners and that any issue which is beyond his authority would be forwarded to
the Department of Corrections for consideration.
However, he said, the demand on transfer of four prison wardens was unreasonable
as the four have performed well in intercepting drugs and mobile phones smuggled
into the prison.
The transfer of the 107 inmates was aimed to prevent any repetition of the riot,
he said.
Mr Krit said that the core riot leaders were mostly drug-related convicts and
were involved in an earlier prison riot in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The riot followed the prisoners learning that those convicted on drug charge
would be transferred to the maximum-security Khao Bin Prison in Ratchaburi,
which is more strictly regulated, so that the leaders of the inmates incited
their fellows to rise against the plan which led to the riot, he said. (MCOT
online news)
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Gas leak from overturned LPG truck now under control
PATHUM THANI, Feb 5 – Gas leak from an overturned truck carrying LPG in Pathum
Thani is now under control and the cause of accident and the leakage will be
investigated, said Somnuk Bumrungsalee, Deputy Director-General of the
Department of Energy Business.
He said the truck carrying 15 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
is owned by the Hathairads Petroleum Co,.Ltd, a customer of PTT PCL.
It was delivering the gas from an oil depot to a refueling station at Klong 7 in
Pathum Thani when it skidded off the road.
An emergency team of the PTT could contain the gas leak, which is normally
controlled by a safety valve. The cause of the accident and how the safety valve
was opened is under investigation.
Meanwhile, Sarun Rungkasiri, Senior Executive Vice President, Oil Business Unit,
said that when the truck overturned and crashed, liquid poured out of the truck
and smoke and fumes appeared.
A PTT emergency team and local police officers worked to control the leakage. He
also apologized for traffic disruption.
Sarun said that normally PTT has strict measures and inspections regarding
transportation. In the event of accidents, safety valves can open to release
pressure in the gas container to prevent explosion.
However, in this case, an investigation will be conducted to find out why the
safety value opened when the truck overturned.
The cause of accident will be also investigated, as to whether it was caused by
slippery roads or reckless driving, to prevent such accidents in the future.
Traffic on the east outer ring road was forced to close and power was cut off in
a radius of 500 metres Sunday morning to prevent any sparks that could ignite
the leaking gas. (MCOT online news)
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Deputy PM Chalerm to upgrade drug problem from national to regional agenda
BANGKOK, Feb 4 -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung on Saturday said the
government has planned to upgrade the 'war on drugs' from a national agenda to a
regional one, as he would discuss the illicit drug problem with his counterparts
in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) later this month.
Mr Chalerm, in his capacity as Director of the National Command Center for Drugs
(NCCD), told a press conference that he and his counterparts from ASEAN were
scheduled to hold an anti-narcotics meeting later this month, during which
illicit drugs are expected to be upgraded to a regional agenda.
He was also scheduled to hold talks with the Myanmar ambassador on cooperation
to crack down on drug trafficking along the border.
The deputy premier said the army would help erect barbed-wire fences along the
northern border, as 87 percent of illicit drugs were smuggled through eight
border provinces, particularly Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.
Mr Chalerm said Thailand could not achieve this mission alone, but needed
cooperation from neighbouring countries, and focus should be placed on reducing
sources and demand for drugs by seriously cracking down on dealers and
intercepting narcotics ingredients.
He said officials were studying the law to legally tap telephones of inmates who
may involved in drug trafficking in order to gather information to wipe out drug
syndicates.
The government has conducted successful drug bust operations over the past four
months, Mr Chalerm said, adding that 16.49 million pills of methamphetamine were
seized, nearly 600 kg of crystal meth or ice, 3,400 kg of marijuana, while
Bt632.86 million worth of assets and cash were also seized.
He added that the government has no policy of preemptive killings, but that drug
dealers may kill their own colleagues to cut their ties and prevent authorities
from finding clues and witnesses to arrest them.
Mr Chalerm also urged the media to join in the operation by publicising that the
drug problem was an international scourge that needed cooperation from ordinary
citizens.
He added that, according to figures compiled by the United Nations, that the
number of drug abusers is estimated at 210 million worldwide. (MCOT online news)
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Happiness index of Thais continues to decline
BANGKOK, Feb 5 - Thailand's Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) has continuously
declined due to the overall political situation and household economic
circumstances, according to Assumption University's ABAC poll released on
Sunday.
The poll, which surveyed the happiness index of Thai people over 18 years of
age, was conducted between Jan 23 - Feb 4 with 3,231 respondents in 17
provinces, indicating that the GDH index at the end of January stood at only
6.66 out of 10.
Ms Puntharee Issarangkul Na Ayutthaya, a researcher at the ABAC Poll Happiness
Center, said Thai people's overall happiness index has kept declining since last
July when it was measured at 7.55 out of 10 points.
Political factors contributed to the decrease of the overall happiness index,
explained Ms Puntharee, in particular the conflict on the charter amendment and
Article 112, which is related to the nation's revered monarchy, as well as the
persistent political divisiveness among the Thai people.
Another negative factor, according to the researcher, is the household economic
situation, as the cost of living has risen while income has remained the same.
Ms Puntharee added the happiness index on the political situation stood at 4.27
while the household economic situation was measured at 4.39 points.
Ms Puntharee however, revealed a positive aspect for the happiness index of Thai
people, saying that loyalty for the monarchy was as high as 9.29 points, while
the index on relationships within the family was at 8.14.
Regarding politics, Ms Puntharee said 60.8 percent of respondents still wanted
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to have a chance to continue her work as she
has just started the prime minister job not so long ago. She noted that Thai
people like to give opportunity to a person as long as it does not mean too many
problems for the nation. Moreover, the people do not want to see more
disturbances and divisiveness in the country. (MCOT online news)
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Two defence volunteers gunned down in Yala
YALA, Feb 5 - Two defence volunteers were shot dead on Sunday morning in the
southern border province of Yala while travelling to escort monks during morning
alms rounds.
An unknown number of concealed attackers ambushed them from the roadside.
Supat Inthanok and Ronnachit Praiduang were each shot in the head in the
provincial seat while they were riding a motorcycle to the Weruwan temple. They
later died from these severe wounds.
The police collected spent bullet casings from an M-16 assault rifle and a 9 mm
pistol at the scene as evidence. The gunmen also took two AK-47 assault rifles
of the two defence volunteers before fleeing. Tripod spikes were strewn on a
road to prevent officials from pursuing them. (MCOT online news)
PM is satisfied with illicit drugs crackdown over past 4 months
BANGKOK, Feb 4 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday expressed
satisfaction over the attempt to crack down on illicit drugs during the past
four months, but stressed that more effort was needed to prevent to return of
drugs into the communities.
 Ms
Yingluck presided over the policy meeting on drug suppression under the
government's 'drug war' policy attended by armed forces representatives,
provincial governors, provincial police commanders and other related agencies at
the Government House.
She said the drug crackdown was on the national agenda and the government has to
take a proactive approach to eradicating the narcotics problem in society.
The premier said she has assigned Deputy Prime Minsiter Chalerm Yubamrung to
supervise the remedy and asked Education Ministry to address the drug problem in
schools.
She said that the government wanted to see considerable advances in the “War on
Drugs” within one year, and there must be improvement by 80 per cent from the
present situation.
The spread of drug in the communities would be reduced, the number of users
would be cut and some 400,000 users would be sent to rehabilitation with the
hope that 80 per cent of them would not return to using drugs again, she said.
Meanwhile, drug smuggling points along the border would be policed more strictly
and all agencies concerned would have to work with better coordination. (MCOT
online news)
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Bt7mln for each victim of government operations in South
BANGKOK, Feb 3 -- The Thai government on Friday approved a Bt7 million
compensation settlement for the families of each victim of the country’s
southern violence who died as a result of government actions.
 The
compensation is on top of the Bt500,000 normal remedy payment, Deputy Prime
Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the Southern Border Provinces
Development Strategy Committee, Mr Yongyuth said the meeting approved the
measures proposed by the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC)
to compensate civilians who were affected by the government's actions.
The families of the victims who suffered human rights violations will be
compensated with Bt7 million on top of the Bt500,000 normal remedy payment, so
that each of them would receive Bt7.5 million in total, he said.
The additional compensation would cover the victims from the Krue Seh and Tak
Bai incidents, he added.
Mr Yongyuth said that wounded and injured victims would also be compensation at
differing levels in accordance with approved criterion.
The payment will take effect immediately after the SBPAC regulations are signed,
he said, adding that it could be announced and implemented next week without
cabinet approval.
Mr Yongyuth brushed aside speculation that the move was aimed to ease mounting
pressure and heavy criticism against the government after it had earlier
approved Bt7.5 million compensation to Red Shirt supporters who died during the
protest by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). (MCOT
online news)
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PM asserts government is speeding up water management plan
BANGKOK, Feb 4 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday asserted that
the government was speeding up its water resource management plan, as the master
plan was already complete and plans for each province would commence later this
month.
 In
her weekly TV programme, the "Yingluck Government Meets the People," Ms Yingluck
said that the Strategic Committee on Water Resources Management has completed
its master plan for water management and the plan for each province would start
later this month in order to make the overall plan integrate with each segment.
The water management process has to take into consideration the volume of water
in the dams, amount of rainfall and water levels in the field, she said, adding
that the plan has to cover from water sources to the end of the stream.
As for Bangkok, tasks have been assigned between the Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration (BMA) and armed forces to dredge canals and networking waterways
between the canals.
They would cooperate to protect economic areas of the capital as well as
industrial estates and parks, she said.
The works would be carried out in accordance with a sustainable water management
plan, said the premier, adding that all tasks must be completed before the next
of rainy season begins.
Ms Yingluck was scheduled to inspect the provinces along riverways--from the
beginning, through the middle, to the end of rivers--during February 13-17 to
follow up on repair work of dams and sluice gates that were damaged by the flood
last year. (MCOT online news)
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Don Mueang Airport scheduled to re-open March 2
BANGKOK, Feb 3 – Thailand’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and the Airports of
Thailand (AoT) have agreed to jointly hold a ceremony to officially reopen Don
Mueang Airport on March 2 to show the facility’s readiness for commercial use
after last year’s flood crisis submerged the airport's runway, according to the
CAD chief.
 Civil
Aviation Department Director General Woradet Hanprasert said here Friday that
Nok Air, one of the country's budget airlines, would resume its services at Don
Mueang airport on March 6
Flight operations at the airport ceased Oct 25 after its runways were flooded.
After the floodwater receded, restoration work was begun, he said, adding that
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) has been repaired and installed new
aircraft control equipment.
AoT will restore the electricity system and begin maintenance work on the
eastern runway, he said.
Mr Woradet said the department is confident that the airlines which operated at
Don Mueang before the flood forced them to relocate temporarily at Suvarnabhumi
Airport--including Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines and charter flights -- would
resume service at Don Mueang.
There are also additional airlines which expressed interest in using Don Mueang
as an operations base, including Thai AirAsia.
THAI Smile Air, Thai Airways International (THAI)'s new sub-brand carrier which
has scheduled its inaugural flight July 1 and is expected to use Don Mueang as
its main airport.
The CAD chief said he was confident that in the near future, Don Mueang could
serve more than 1 million passengers annually and lighten the load on
Suvarnabhumi.
During the flood crisis, some airlines shifted their operations from Don Mueang
to Suvarnabhumi which now serves on average 47 million passengers per year,
higher than its potential capacity of 45 million passengers annually.
Once Suvarnabhumi began its second-phase construction, he said, Don Mueang
airport would be able to ease Suvarnabhumi airport's passenger load. (MCOT
online news)
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Yingluck fares better than Abhisit on wage rises: Survey
BANGKOK, Feb 3 - The Pheu Thai-led Yingluck administration scored higher on its
wage rise policy, but took second place when compared to the previous government
on cabinet appointments, according to an opinion poll released on Friday.
 However
neither government achieved a 50 per cent level of approval in any category.
The survey was conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University among 2,163 people
across the country from Jan 28-Feb 2, assessing the two governments'
performances after the current administration has held office for six months.
The rise to a Bt15,000 monthly salary for university graduates and a minimum
wage of Bt300/day for workers won approval of 43 per cent of respondents,
counted as a better performance by the current government of Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra, followed by drug suppression at 34 per cent and
international trade and investment at 21 per cent.
The Yingluck administration took second place to the previous government of
Democrat Party prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on cabinet appointments, rising
oil prices and the rice price guarantee scheme. Those surveyed rated the issues
at 39, 34 and 26 per cent respectively.
Equal performances were registered by both governments in supporting education
policy at 42 per cent, attentiveness to the public at 31 per cent, and the
policy of free public utilities -- water, electricity and transportation-- at 25
per cent.
Meanwhile, those surveyed viewed efforts to solve political conflicts (37 per
cent), southern violence (33 per cent), and fight against corruption (29 per
cent) as both administrations' evenly poor performances. (MCOT online news)
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Authorities search Bang Kwang Prison in drug busting operation
BANGKOK, Feb 3 -- Much drug apparatus, many mobile phones, SIM cards, and
quantities of cash were found stashed in varied locations in the capital’s Bang
Kwang Central Prison following a search operation conducted as part of an effort
to crack down on drug syndicates.
 More
than 400 personnel from the Departments of Corrections, Provincial
Administration, Provincial Police Region 1 and Office of the Narcotics Control
Board searched Bang Kwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi, a maximum security
prison for men, beginning at 3.30am today.
The search combed sections 2, 6, 8 and 10 of the main prison compound including
dormitories, exercise ground, bathing and washing hall and resulted in much
seized drug use apparatus, mobile phones, SIM cards, cash and homemade alcoholic
beverages in various locations.
The raid followed the arrest of suspected drug dealer suspect Nipon Kanchat who
earlier implicated Peerayuth Phaedsakul, also known as Tee, who continued to
function as a drug trade kingpin despite being behind bars in Bang Kwang Prison.
Mr Peerayuth earlier denied the charges and asserted his innocence but prison
authorities placed him in solitary confinement.
Mr Nipon reportedly admitted owning the 3.8 million speed pills and 71kg of
crystal methamphetamine or ice worth more than a billion baht, which was earlier
found by police at a rented house in Pathum Thani.
Bang Kwang Prison has detained some 100 inmates convicted of drug-related
offences and may link with the drug syndicates outside prison. The Corrections
Department plans to move them to Ratchaburi’s Khao Bin Central Prison which has
a special zone set apart. (MCOT online news)
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Government ready to compensate victims’ families if rangers guilty: Defence Minister
BANGKOK, Feb 2 -- Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat pledged on Thursday
that the government stood ready to provide full compensation to the families of
four slain villagers in Pattani's Nong Chik district if the paramilitary rangers
were found guilty during their Sunday night’s operation in response to the
attack of their base.
 ACM
Sukumpol said that he could not yet say who was right or wrong in the incident
as the authorities are investigating to establish the facts.
He said the government did not want incidents like this to happen but if the
rangers were found to have acted wrongly, the government would take
responsibility and compensate the survivors.
"The government has initially compensated the victims and an additional
Bt500,000 compensation would be given to the families of those killed,” the
defence minister said. “If the investigation concludes that the rangers were
wrong, the government has no problem in awarding Bt7.5 million to each family."
The minister said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is not ignoring the issue
but has called him asking for more information.
ACM Sukumpol responded to a query of opposition Democrat Party Pattani MP Ismael
Ben-ibrohim who sought an explanation from the prime minister during Thursday’s
parliamentary session.
Mr Ismael said the the rangers apparently fired at the civilian vehicle, killing
four and wounding four. Following the shooting, villagers and the district chief
were not allowed by the rangers to inspect the scene. He also cited the accounts
of the four wounded survivors who said they were angry when they saw that
firearms were planted in their vehicle.
The opposition MP described the incident as “extremely shocking” but said he had
not heard any reaction from the premier to the incident so far.
“I want to know how the government will compensate them. In this case, I think
that each family of the dead victims should receive 10 million baht.” Mr Ismael
said, adding that the amount is not much comparing to the Bt7.5 million
compensation for supporters of the United Front for Democracy against
Dictatorship (the red shirt movement).
The incident happened Sunday night when unknown assailants fired three M-79
grenades at a ranger base in Nong Chik district. The rangers fired back and
pursued the group and found a suspicious pick-up truck.
The rangers challenged the men in the vehicle to identify themselves, but heard
a gunshot in response as they approached the vehicle. According to the military
explanation, the soldiers then shot at the vehicle.
The authorities initially believed that the truck’s passengers were involved
with the insurgent group but later admitted that they were local residents who
were heading to a funeral of their relative.
Meanwhile, Pattani shooting survivor Mae Doloh, 76, told a Thai News Agency
reporter Thursday that he, his nephew, and seven other villagers were on their
way to attend a funeral when the attack occurred.
Mr Ma-e said five persons were sitting at the open-rear space of the pickup
truck while he, the driver and two others were in the cab when a group of about
four or five army personnel stopped the car.
As a soldier ordered us to stop the car, the survivor said, one of passengers
shouted back to them that "We are good persons. We are villagers and are
attending a funeral at Tung Bho village."
Mr Ma-e said gunshots were heard a few minutes later and the hails of bullets
headed to his pickup truck. The person sitting just next to him was instantly
killed.
“I was shot at my right leg and foot. I was really hurt and bleeding. I remained
conscious though but pretended to have died otherwise I could not survive. As I
heard someone shouted “Are they all dead yet? Shoot them to death!” After a
while, I heard an oncoming car hit my vehicle twice. Even though I had deep pain
because my leg was broken I dared not to ask for help for fear that I would be
shot to death. Hours later, I saw a person in white shoes who was not a soldier
open the car door and I begged for help. Someone rushed to remove my body to
hospital,” said the 76-year-old as he recalled his life-threatening moment.
The victim of the latest violence in southern border region said he was
disappointed with the military and never expected such an incident in his life.
Mr Mae said, before the incident took place, he had given good cooperation to
army personnel who stopped at his village, but now he feels very angry and wants
the troops to withdraw from the village. (MCOT online news)
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Foreign Ministry invites EU envoys to clarify terrorist threat
BANGKOK, Feb 2 - Foreign Ministry invited the envoys from seven European Union
countries to hear his clarification regarding the situation in Thailand as some
countries continued their travel advisories on possible terrorist threats in
Bangkok, while 12 countries retain their alerts.
The deputy director-general of the Information Department Jesda Katavetin
announced the details at a news conference after Minister Surapong
Tovichakchaikul hosted a lunch to discuss with the ambassadors of Austria,
Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Romania.
Mr Jesda said the 12 countries currently retaining their alerts are Ireland,
Sweden, Greece, Italy, the United Kingdom, Romania, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea,
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
He noted Sweden and the United Kingdom said they had not issued travel
advisories but rather informed their citizens to be watchful of the Thai
situation after Thailand and the United States were warned by US and Israeli
officials of possible terrorist attacks on Thai soil.
Early last month, the US Embassy in Bangkok warned on its website of possible
attacks, and other embassies followed suit. However, the US Embassy has since
removed the warning from the main page of its website.
Mr Jesda said that all the 12 countries were satisfied with Thailand's approach
to the situation. (MCOT online news)
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Honda to resume production in Thailand next month
 BANGKOK,
Feb 1 – Japanese automaker Honda will resume production at its Ayutthaya
assembly plant, north of Bangkok, in March, a top company executive said
Wednesday.
Pitak Pruittisarikorn, executive vice president of Honda Automobile (Thailand)
Co said the firm is installing machinery and testing systems at its assembly
plant in the Rojana Industrial Estate, hit by last year’s flood.
 After
resuming production, it then will manufacture auto parts to supply Honda plants
in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Facilities in other countries, affected by supply chain disruptions due to the
Thai flood crisis last year, are expected to be able to resume operation in
April.
Mr Pitak said the Office of Industrial Economics recently announced criteria and
conditions for complete car import approvals and the company is working on
importing the Honda Jazz and Accord from Japan for distribution to customers in
Thailand from the end of February onwards to offset the domestic production
loss.
Scrapping the1,055 Honda cars irreparably damaged by the floods began Dec 27, he
said, and will finish by Feb 25. (MCOT online news)
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Thailand extradites four Khmer prisoners to Cambodia
SA KAEO, Feb 1 - Thailand on Wednesday extradited four
Cambodian prisoners, but the Sa Kaeo prison chief denies it was an exchange for
two Thai activists jailed earlier in Phnom Penh for espionage.
 Sa
Kaeo Deputy Governor Chat Kittinoppadon and Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison Commander
Kittipat Dechapahun witnessed the handover ceremony of four Cambodian prisoners
-- two men and two women -- to the Cambodian government through Cambodian
ambassador to Thailand You Aye.
It was the first time that a handover was held at a local checkpoint as the
event was held in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province.
The four men were jailed at Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison for drug-related offences
and have completed one-third of their jail term. They are now entitled to be
extradited to finish their jail terms in their homeland.
Mr Kittipat stressed that the extradition handled normally, without a hidden
agenda as some have speculated that the transfer of the Khmer prisoners may lead
to the release of two Thai activists who were put behind bars in Phnom Penh, and
that they may be handed over to Thai authorities.
He said the release of Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the People's Network
against Corruption and a high-profile activist in the Thai Patriots Network, and
his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, depends on Cambodia.
Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were arrested on Dec 29, 2010, along with five others
including then Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they
illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe the border demarcation process.
The five were released in late January, 2011 after the Cambodian court suspended
their sentences of nine months in jail.
A Cambodian court on Feb 1, 2011 ruled that the pair were guilty of espionage,
illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Mr Veera was sentenced to an
eight-year jail term and fined a 1.8 million riel (US$450) while Ms Ratree was
handed a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel ($300) fine.
Cambodia later reemphasised that the two Thai activists must serve two-thirds of
their jail terms before a royal pardon could be granted, but said it was
possible for the pair to be released earlier if the two countries could agree on
a prisoner exchange
Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said after an official visit to
Cambodia last month that Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Hor
Namhong insisted that Mr Veera and Ms Ratree must serve two-thirds of their jail
terms before a royal pardon from the Cambodian monarch could be requested.
However, there is a possibility for early release if Thailand and Cambodia can
agree on a prisoner exchange programme. (MCOT online news)
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Defence volunteer shot dead in Pattani
PATTANI, Feb 1 – A defence volunteer was gunned down in this
southern border province on his way back from sending his daughter to school on
Wednesday morning.
Thanong Sinthu, 40 was en route to his military base when two gunmen on a
motorcycle followed him and shot the defence volunteer three times in his back.
He died at the scene. An investigation is underway to find if the shooting is
related to the killing of four villagers in Nong Chik district on Jan 29.
An unknown number of assailants fired three M-79 grenades at a ranger base in
Nong Chik district Sunday night. The rangers fired back, pursued the group and
down the road found a suspicious pick-up truck.
The rangers challenged the men in the vehicle to identify themselves, but heard
a gunshot in response as they approached. They then shot at the vehicle, which
resulted in four men dead and five wounded.
The authorities are investigating the incident as the slain villagers were
civilian, and had no relation to the insurgent groups.
In the nearby province of Yala, Governor Detrat Simsiri visited and gave moral
support to five government personnel who were wounded in motorcycle bombing in
the provincial seat on Tuesday evening.
The four victims were soldiers from Yala's Task Force 11 and the fifth is an
assistant to a village head.
The bomb was planted in a motorcycle parked beside Ban Niang-Lum Mai Road.
The victims were sent to hospital and the doctors said that all five were
recovering.
Yala Task Forces 11 and 14 are collecting evidence and information on the
bombers. The locations of the incidents are being searched by a combined force
of police and military but no suspects have been apprehended. (MCOT online news)
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Restoration of historic Ayutthaya sites to cope with renewed flood
AYUTTHAYA, Jan 31 – Thailand’s antiquities authorities will
speed up restoring the former capital’s historic sites, damaged by last year’s
flooding in the city of Ayutthaya, and reinforce weak structures in preparation
for possible repeat flooding in the future.
Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome and Somsuda Leeyawanich,
director-general of the Fine Arts Department on Tuesday inspected the collapsed
wall of the Mahathat Temple. A five-kilometre section of the wall tumbled down
during the flood and Ayutthaya’s provincial fines art agency has used wooden
staves to prop the remaining sections of wall to prevent further collapse.
The inspection revealed obvious foundation subsidence, restoration of which will
make the wall stronger than they were rebuilt last time, the minister said.
More surveying will be done to find any other parts, which could collapse after
the historic site was submerged in months-long flooding last year. It is
believed there are many spots that need to be restored and strengthened in
preparation for possible flooding in the future.
As a light and sound show is scheduled in February, Ayutthaya Governor Wittaya
Phewpong said that there will be neither a fireworks presentation nor higher
than normal level amplifiers which could cause vibration damage.
Performance of any fight scene that could impact the historic site will be cut
off. (MCOT online news)
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PM orders water discharge for rainy season readiness
BANGKOK, Jan 31 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on
Tuesday said she has instructed the Irrigation Department to speed up the water
discharge from major dams so that they will be prepared for the intake of
another volume of water in the upcoming rainy season.
The premier’s move was part of her government’ short-term
measures to prevent flooding as the rainy season approaches. She added that the
“Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management”, SCWRM, will also find ways
to store sufficient amounts of water during the dry season.
Ms Yingluck said that Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob Surasawadee is
now outlining the natural disaster warning system while Deputy Prime
Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Vichaidit was assigned to work with the
Bangkok governor to dredge canals and ditches.
The premier said she hoped everything will have been completed before the rainy
season arrives.
Meanwhile, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob said the National Database
has been set up with a Bt3,164 million budget. The database includes improvement
of information on water resources and a satellite database, as well as
installation of closed circuit televisions at key sluice gates and an automatic
sluice gate system.
Mr Plodprasob explained that if the installation is found to be effective in 20
pilot water gates, the system will be installed in every sluice gate. He
expressed confidence that the automatic system meets international standards and
will help reduce conflict among residents in communities.
Regarding the warning system, the minister said his plan covered the integration
of data of all water-related state agencies, alerts to the public via smart
phone, the immediate announcement of warnings through broadcast and print media,
as well as internet, the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) satellites
to assess the situation and the improvement of call centres.
The minister reaffirmed that all processes must be accomplished in between June
and July this year to handle the incoming rainy season. Mr Plodprasob added it
is important to discharge and drain water as much as possible in parallel with
the canal dredge and the construction of floodways covering 24,000 square
kilometres.
The minister noted that the interior ministry is responsible for the operations
which are expected to be completed within five months, while retention areas
will be located around the lower Chaophraya River, with announcement of the area
to be made in a few months.
Mr Plodprasob is part of a SCWRM committee assigned to supervise establishment
of a National Database and improvement of National Warning System under a Bt7
billion budget as short-term flood prevention measures. (MCOT online news)
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Court acquits former revenue chief on share transfer case
BANGKOK, Jan 31 - The Appeals Court on Tuesday upheld a lower
court decision acquitting former director-general of the Revenue Department
Sirote Sawasdipanich and five former revenue officials of negligence of duty for
their failure to collect tax from the former wife of ousted prime minister
Thaksin Shinawatra over a transfer of shares.
The defendants had been charged with negligence of duty and causing a Bt270
million loss in revenue to the state for failing to collect tax from Khunying
Pojaman Na Pombejra, Mr Thaksin's ex-wife, in the transfer of 4.5 million Shin
Corp shares worth Bt738 million to her stepbrother Bannapot Damapong.
In the lawsuit, the prosecutors said Mrs Pojaman transferred the shares held in
the name of her maid Duangta Wongpakdi to her stepbrother without any payment.
Therefore the share transfer is tantamount to taxable assets from which the
state should have benefited with Bt270 million in tax.
Mr Bannapot failed to report receiving the shares to the revenue department
which was later awared of it in an inquiry by the National Anti-Corruption
Commission which concluded that Mr Thaksin and his spouse had filed a false
statement over their assets.
Mrs Pojaman argued the shares were given to her stepbrother as a gift, therefore
it should not be taxable. The case was submitted to the then senior revenue
officials including Mr Sirote for legal interpretation.
The lower court had acquitted all the five defendants on Feb 26, 2009, reasoning
that they neither had authority to collect tax nor examine taxation as their
responsibility was as legal examiners. Therefore, the court ruled that all the
defendants were not guilty.
The prosecutor petitioned the Appeals Court, however, which upheld the lower
court's decision. (MCOT online news)
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Four slain villagers in Pattani not insurgents: Deputy PM Yuthasak
BANGKOK, Jan 31 -- Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha
conceded on Tuesday that the four villagers slain Sunday night in Pattani were
not insurgents, pledging fair treatment and justice to be given to both military
rangers and families of the four.
The Pattani governor and Region 4 Army commander have been
assigned to probe the incident in which four Muslim villagers were shot to death
in Nong Chik district Sunday night, Gen Yuthasak said.
Meanwhile, a military investigation found that the victims were not linked to
any armed militant group in the southernmost provinces.
Speaking before the weekly cabinet meeting, Gen Yuthasak, who supervises
national security, said Pattani Governor Teera Mintrasak and Region 4 Army
commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat were investigating the matter and
considered the legality of the military operation, that is whether the rangers
acted under the rules of engagement.
He said the military has a code of conduct in reference to targets but the
circumstances and situation on the day must be taken into consideration to rule
regarding who was right or wrong.
If the rangers' action was correct, then the authorities will proceed to seek
better understanding with the villagers and the wider public, he said.
The deputy premier conceded that the operation might not have been entirely
appropriate as the investigation showed that the four were not insurgents. The
Region 4 Army commander reported that one person might have used the eight
innocent people as human shields. If so, an investigation was needed to clarify
the incident.
Gen Yuthasak said he believed the incident would not escalate into more
complicated situation as the probe was underway. If any officials were found to
be wrong, they were ready to apologise.
He pledged to give fair treatment and justice to both the rangers and the
families of the four killed to prevent any misunderstanding.
An unknown number of assailants fired three M-79 grenades at a ranger base in
Nong Chik district late Sunday night. The rangers fired back and pursued the
group. A departing attacker reportedly ran and jumped into a pick-up truck. The
rangers then alerted local authorities to intercept them until they found a
suspicious pick-up truck.
The rangers challenged the men in the vehicle to identify themselves, but heard
a gunshot in response as they approached the vehicle. The soldiers then shot at
the vehicle resulting in four dead and five wounded.
As for the firearms found in the pickup truck, Gen Yuthsak said the villagers
believed they were left in the vehicle, but the rangers asserted that they did
not leave the firearms in the truck.
Pattani governor Theera Mintrasak said he ordered setting up a fact-finding
committee to probe the case and a result is expected to be known within 30 days.
The case will proceed in accordance with judicial procedures.
The governor expressed deep sorrow for families of the dead and wounded, saying
he and the village head have spoken with residents to build understanding and
compensated each family with Bt100,000. (MCOT online news)
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Human trafficking agent arrested in Saraburi
BANGKOK, Jan 31 - A human trafficking agent was arrested in
the central province of Saraburi for smuggling foreign labourers from the Lao
PDR to Thailand.
The suspect was identified as Vitoon Tongsin. He was apprehended with 20 male
and female Lao.
Mr Vitoon confessed the labourers were charged with an import fee at
Bt1,600/person before they were sent further to other agents in the capital.
Police had had traces of the human trafficking ring to have transported the
foreign labourers from the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok.
A checkpoint was thus set up to intercept vehicles of the suspects in Saraburi
province.
The imported workers were to be dropped in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok
before being picked up again and delivered to would-be employers in the capital,
according to Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD) police.
Initially, the suspect was charged with illegally bringing in and harbouring
migrants to Thailand. Punishment is up to five years with a fine of up to
Bt50,000. (MCOT online news)
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Three drug suspects killed in clash with army rangers
CHIANG MAI, Jan 30 – Three suspected drug traders were killed
in a clash with Thai army rangers at the Thai-Myanmar border in the northern
province of Chiang Mai.
Ritthipong Techaphan, deputy Chiang Mai governor, said that he was told of the
clash in Mae Ai district at about 7am Monday.
Col Pairote Yawincharn led the Pa Muang Task Force to patrol Doi Samsao at the
Thai-Myanmar border in order to stem drug smuggling from the neighbouring
country into Thailand.
While on patrol, they met about ten suspected drug smugglers who were armed.
After the ten-minute clash, they retreated and the authorities found three
people dead with M-16 assault rifles lying near the bodies.
Five kilogrammes heroin were found in a rucksack at the scene. (MCOT online
news)
PM confident tourism industry to remain strong
BANGKOK, Jan 30 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on
Monday expressed confidence that the country's tourism industry will improve
after being negatively impacted by years of political crisis and the recent
severe flooding, while urging cooperation from all parties to help boost tourist
confidence.
Speaking on the government's future policy towards Thailand’s
tourism industry, the prime minister said the number of 2011 tourist arrivals
was recorded at 19.1 million, an increase from the previous year and bringing in
a total of Bt730 billion in revenues.
Ms Yingluck said the government considered tourism as the mainstay industry
which brings in revenue to the country but in the future the industry will face
fierce competition.
The premier stated that clear strategies to develop the industry are needed to
prepare Thailand to usher in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 and to
respond to volatile international circumstances.
Ms Yingluck pledged that her government would support the country's tourism as
being designated a year of "Miracle Thailand", urging cooperation from all
parties to boost confidence among tourists.
Thailand will have to show its strength and charms to the world, particularly
its culture, according to the premier, adding that the country should become a
regional tourist hub connecting to other destinations.
As Thailand's tourism industry was also hit by the recent travel alert on a
possible terrorist threat issued by the US embassy in Bangkok, followed by a
travel advisory from over a dozen embassies, Ms Yingluck said the foreign
ministry is now discussing with the US embassy on the matter but time is needed.
Many other countries have already lifted the warning and the situation will
return to normal soon.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said as no additional
country revoked its travel warning, the ministry will invite ambassadors of 16
countries with still standing travel alerts to discuss the matter for better
understanding as it has already been 15 days since the US embassy issued the
warning. (MCOT online news)
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Ruling, opposition parties ask DSI to probe websites insulting monarchy
BANGKOK, Jan 30 – Both Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party and
the opposition Democrat Party on Monday submitted complaints to the Department
of Special Investigation (DSI) asking the agency to take legal action against
website operators and social networks which are deemed to be insulting to the
kingdom’s royal institution.
Pheu Thai spokesperson Prompong Nopparit representing the
ruling party filed its complaint with DSI Deputy Director-General Pol Col Prawet
Moolpramuk asking the agency to investigate and proceed with legal action
against websites and social networks which violate the Criminal Code, Article
112, for alleged disseminating of messages insulting to the monarchy.
Mr Prompong said the government has already closed some 60,000 websites but
later found that they reopened and were operating under the cover of other
networks or movements.
At the same time, Democrat Deputy Spokeswoman Mallika Boonmeetrakul petitioned
the department asking for legal action against Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, ICT Minister Anudit
Nakornthap and the national police chief for negligence of duty.
Ms Mallika claimed that she informed the premier about websites allegedly
insulting the monarchy since Dec 1, and presented the URL of 280 alleged
anti-monarchical web pages. As of now, she said, none is closed or has resulted
in legal proceedings.
Representing the so-called ‘Cyber Warrior Club’ coordinating with the Democrats,
Ms Mallika said she has collected URLs for 483 web pages allegedly insulting the
monarchy to submit to the DSI and asked the department to consider the case as
being special.
The Democrat deputy spokesperson pledged that she would inspect the work of all
concerned agencies every two weeks, while slamming the government's claim on the
closure of 60,000 web pages as information distortion.
The DSI deputy chief said upon receiving the letters from the two parties that
the department has set up a centre to prevent and crackdown on websites
insulting the monarchy since December.
Regarding Ms Mallika's request to prosecute the prime minister and other
concerned figures, Col Prawet said the National Anti-Corruption Commission will
consider the issue.
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Malaysians apprehended for smuggling endangered species spiny anteaters
SONGKHLA, Jan 30 - Two Malaysian men were arrested in
southern Thailand Monday for smuggling pangolins—an endangered species commonly
known as the spiny anteater-- while passing through the inbound immigration
border checkpoint in Sadao district.
Forty-five pangolins weighing over 100kg were found in 24 net
bags hidden under the back seat of the suspects' vehicle.
The two men were identified as Mr Ahmad Ikram Bin Anuar and Muhamad Shaifol Bin
Abidin.
The suspects were detained for questioning and confessed they had bought the
wild animals from Malaysia in order to deliver them to customers in Thailand’s
Sadao district.
Smuggling pangolins is against the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.
Ranger wounded in presumed insurgent attack on Pattani base
PATTANI, Jan 30 -- One Thai government ranger was wounded in
a presumed insurgent assault on their Pattani base, while four local residents
were killed, and five were wounded, in a roadside attack on their vehicle
somewhat later.
The authorities believe the assailants in both incidents were
the same group.
The victims were taken to Nong Chik hospital, were the wounded are being
treated.
According to the authorities, an unknown number of men used an M-79 grenade
launcher in their attack on ranger base in Nong Chik district, with one solder
slightly wounded by fragments of the projectile.
The rangers pursued the attackers, attempting to capture the group. On the
Pattani to Yala Route 418, they came on the wreck of a bullet-riddled pickup
truck where they found four dead persons and five others wounded. All were taken
to hospital.
The authorities initially believed the assailants attacked the ranger base,
later firing on the pick up truck as they were fleeing
Investigators did not speculate regarding what group was responsible for the
incidents.
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Phisanulok declared disaster zones from drought
PHISANULOK, Jan 29 – Drought in the lower northern province
of Phisanulok has extended, prompting the province to declare two districts as
the disaster zones.
More than 100 villages in two districts -Chat Trakan and
Nakhon Thai - in mountainous areas outside the irrigation zone - have been
affected, according to local disaster prevention and mitigation official
Boonyong Kumsuphan.
An ad hoc directive centre has been set up in nine districts to solve the
problem. Moreover, three other districts – Noen Maprang, Wang Thong and Wat Bot
– have been closely monitored. Farmers in Nakhon Thai district have switched to
growing corn for animal feed instead of off-season rice, as corn can be
harvested in a shorter period of 90 days, needs less water, and has lower risk
of insect-borne diseases.
Meanwhile, Tak province is also facing drought, as water in the Moei River
flowing between Thailand and Myanmar has decreased continuously.
Tewarit Pankaew, chief of Huay Muang Village in Mae Sot
district, said the shallow river obstructed transportation in the area which
hosts nearly 20 ports.
He added this year's drought has come sooner than usual and port operators
addressed the problem at hand by ordering sand dredged out to a level deep
enough to allow cargo boat passage.
Mr Tewarit said that though such methods delay transportation times to Myanmar,
it is better that leaving products behind at the ports.
Apart from cargo boats, the village chief added that long-tailed passenger boats
are also unable to continue their service due to shallow waters.
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PM: Government has clear water management plan
BANGKOK, Jan 29 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on
Sunday reaffirmed that her government has clear water management plans and is
ready to handle the upcoming rainy season.
The premier made remarks following the comments of Smith
Dharmasaroja, natural disaster expert and a member of Strategic Committee for
Water Resources Management, saying that the government still had no clear plan
dealing water resources.
Ms Yingluck rebutted that water management is a major issue which needed to be
carefully conducted and that she has instructed concerned agencies to work on
it.
The premier reiterated the existence of the plan but noted that it may not be
quick enough to respond to committee members who are also worried about the
situation and concerned parties needed to understand each other.
Ms Yingluck insisted that the government is well prepared and has a sound flood
prevention plan for the upcoming rainy season.
"Though the plan did not go into detail for everything, it can be clarified,"
said the premier. "Now everyone is working on it as this issue is a prominent
one on the national agenda which required cooperation. Many parties also need to
adjust their working methods and translate academic principles into practical
methods within the available timeframe."
Thailand encountered its worst flooding in decades during the second half of
2011, affecting over sixty provinces and claiming a flood-related death toll of
813. Seven industrial estates were also submerged under floodwaters, forcing the
suspension of production in many industries. The situation has now returned
normal and the country is now continuing with the rehabilitation process.
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