Anything & Everything About Thailand

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Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 18 January 2006 :-

Two fishermen get death sentence for Horton's murder

Surat Thani - The Surat Thani Provincial Court today sentenced to death two fishermen for raping and murdering a British student who was taking holidays at Koh Samui during the New Years holiday.

The crime they committed has terrified people, the judge told the packed court room when he read out the verdict.

To prevent others from committing similar acts, the court rules that the two defendants be sentenced to death.

BualoiPosit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, had pleaded guilty last week to beating, raping and killing Katherine Horton, a 21-year-old student from Wales who had been vacationing on the Koh Samui.

I'm sorry for what I did, Bulaloi told reporters.

Hortonwas believed to call her mother when the two fishermen attacked her from behind on the New Years eve.

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SURAT THANI, Jan 18 (TNA) - Two Thai fishing trawler crewmen were sentenced to death Wednesday for raping and killing a British tourist who was holidaying at an island resort of Koh Samui in the Gulf of
Thailand on New Year's Day.

Nearly three weeks after Welsh tourist Katherine Horton was killed on the resort island of Samui, Surat Thani Provincial Court handed down the verdict in a high-profile case, which drew much attention from both local and international media.

"The court considers that the forensic evidence could not be disputed that the two suspects brutally committed the serious crimes," chief judge said. "To prevent others from committing similar crimes, the court rules that the two defendants be sentenced to death.''

The two trawler crewmen--Bualoy Posit, 23 and Wichai Som Khaoyai, 24--who were arrested last week, had pleaded guilty to raping and killing the 21-year-old Welsh student at Lamai beach and dumping her body into the sea.

The murder charge carried a maximum penalty of death. The defendants have one month to appeal.

Worried that the murder case might have a negative impact on local tourism industry and the country's image, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called for the justice system to deliver the "hardest punishment" possible to the killers.(TNA)

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SUPHANBURI, Jan 18 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-01-18 / 11:37:51 (GMT+7:00)

A small aircraft belonging to an aviation training school crashed in the central Thai province of Suphanburi Wednesday morning, killing its pilot.

The two-seat, single-engine propeller plane from the Kampaengsaen Aviation Training School in nearby Nakhon Pathom province crashed into a four-storey commercial building in Suphanburi's Bang Plama district about 10:00 a.m.

The pilot, identified as Nawin Klinprasert, was found dead in the wreckage. He is believed to have been an instructor, but there appeared to be no student on the flight.

Initial reports indicated that damage was confined to the third floor of the building.

An official investigation on the cause of the incident is being conducted. (TNA)--E002

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BANGKOK, Jan 18 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-01-18 / 16:03:40 (GMT+7:00)

Thailand will host a 28-nation Asian Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) forum in Bangkok from 30 April to 1 May.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted the forum to focus on the benefits of maximising member countries' international currency reserves, according to Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya.

The key objective of the ACD exercise was to ensure member-states concentrated on economic stability to avoid a recurrence of the 1997 financial crisis, said Dr. Thanong.

The Bangkok forum was also expected to discuss plans for a further issue of local currency bonds and the linkage between ACD and the Executives Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Bank (EMEAP).

The Asian Development Bank is playing the leading role in encouraging the issue of Asian currency bonds.

The ADB had also taken up the leadership in developing a credit rating system for regional bond issues, the finance minister said.(TNA)-E007

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Sandra Laville
Wednesday January 18, 2006
The Guardian

A senior British diplomat in Thailand broke through three pairs of plastic handcuffs, threatened to kill fellow airline passengers and abused cabin staff after drinking heavily on a flight to London in the aftermath of the tsunami, a court heard yesterday.

Fellow passengers seated near Colonel Peter Roberts, defence attache at the British embassy in Thailand, said it became clear very quickly that he was an important man with an important job.

But as the Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow flew over Belgium in February last year, Col Roberts' behaviour deteriorated until he went berserk, Isleworth crown court heard.

At one point he screamed at cabin staff and passengers who tried to restrain him: "You are a fucking wanker, you're fucking dead. Do you know who I am? I'm the head of the British government in Thailand and you're treating me like this."

Gareth Rees QC, prosecuting, said Col Roberts had drunk two or three bottles of wine - of the small size served by airlines - three Black Label whiskies and some port on the plane.

He had also been drinking wine on his connecting flight from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and the court heard he had been taking the antidepressant Seroxat, which should not be mixed with alcohol. He was seen drinking whisky at the airport.

Fellow passenger Anil Mohun Kumar said the defence attache launched a foul-mouthed tirade against the country of Thailand. "He said 'Fuck this country, fuck the king, fuck the Buddha,' " Mr Kumar said.

"He made several threats to kill the people trying to restrain him. It took five people at one stage to restrain him."

During a continuing tirade of abuse, his ramblings included his personal views on North Korea, a country he labelled as "untrustworthy", according to Kevin McGuire, another passenger.

Flight attendant Roseanne Montero said she found Col Roberts sitting on a seat reserved for cabin crew during the flight: "I saw him lean across and try to grab a female passenger and I saw him trying to grab a woman with a small boy about two years old and the woman and the small boy looked terrified.

"This was accompanied by shouts of 'Fuck off, fuck off.' "

She said Col Roberts then went "mad" and attempts were made to restrain him with plastic handcuff straps.

But he broke through three pairs before cabin staff and passengers finally managed to bind his wrists and feet. He was arrested when the plane landed at Heathrow.

Col Roberts denies being drunk on an aircraft. The case continues

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349 words
19 January 2006
Bangkok Post
English

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

Repairs are needed to the southern end of the west runway at Suvarnabhumi airport which has begun to peel because of cost-cutting during construction, and Deputy Transport Minister Chainant Charoensiri has launched an inquiry.

Gen Chainant said yesterday he had assigned Bancha Pattanaporn, acting president of Airports of Thailand (AOT), to have the runway section repaired and improved to the same high specifications of the remainder of the surface.

He had also ordered an investigation to find the people responsible for compromising the quality of the runway specifications.

Gen Chainant said the west runway is 3.7 kilometres long and 60 metres wide, but different paving materials were used on parts of the runway surface.

The surface on the middle part of the runway, which is 2.9km long and 30m wide, and the northern part incorporate a polymer, which is strong and flexible, as this area will receive significant wear from aircraft.

The remainder, comprising the 15m wide runway shoulders and the southern end of the runway, which is 400m long, were not polymer-based as they would face less wear from aircraft.

Leading reporters to the runway, Surajit Surapolchai, an AOT senior executive vice-president for airport development, said the partial use of the non-polymer surface was normal at all airports and was aimed at saving money. A paving mixture of polymer and concrete cost 4,000 baht per cubic metre, while non-polymer concrete cost only 2,700 baht.

He said the peeling was "normal" at all airports and would not affect safety or the safety of staff. It was often repaired monthly, or even daily.

Gen Chainant said the tarmac had begun to peel after test take-offs and landings were carried out, and AOT officials responsible for the acceptance of the runway had rejected the construction, questioned the contractor and insisted it be repaired.

He wanted all parts of the runway to have the same polymer-based standard for the sake of safety which, he said, should matter more than cost.

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293 words
19 January 2006
Bangkok Post
English

POST REPORTERS

Thai Airways International's catering plant under construction at Suvarnabhumi airport caught fire while about 200-300 people were working there last night. One died in the blaze and three were injured.

Chokchai Panyayong, THAI's vice-president supervising the airline's investments at Suvarnabhumi airport, could not confirm whether the fire would delay the opening schedule of the airport tentatively set for June.

Three workers were seriously injured after jumping from an upper floor to escape the flames. The fatality was Jessada Chanram, an air-conditioning mechanic.

Thick smoke billowed from the second floor of the four-storey building around 4.20pm. Three elevator technicians who worked on the second floor jumped off the building and injured themselves.

Woranont Termsap, 25, broke his legs, while elevator technician Wasant Bankhan injured his back. Another worker, Weerawat Meedee, 28, sustained broken arms and legs.

Twenty-fire engines were deployed to control the fire.

The 3.9-billion-baht catering plant is three kilometres from the airport terminal.

Deputy Transport Minister Chainant Charoensiri said the fire started as welding sparks set fire to insulating material. The blaze took a little over an hour to put out. Damage to the building would be examined today.

Anucha Mokawet, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said interior decoration workers caused welding sparks which set the insulating material ablaze. Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal quoted Mr Wasant as saying the lights went out as he and his colleagues were installing an elevator inside the building. Mr Pongsak said the building appeared to be slightly damaged.

Somchai Sawasdeepon, airport director, said the sprinkler system did not work because it was still being installed.

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341 words
19 January 2006
09:36
English

TOP STORIES

- Bangkok's much-heralded new international airport bore a major mishap just a few months before its official opening when a fire broke out in its flight-catering building, leaving a construction worker dead and three injured (THE NATION)

- Less than three weeks after the rape and murder of a British tourist on the resort island of Koh Samui received international attention, the Surat Thani Provincial Court sentenced the two fishermen convicted of the crime to death by lethal injection (THE NATION)

- Airports of Thailand has refused to endorse the Suvarnabhumi Airport runway handover after a cracks on the west runway were found (THE NATION)

- Violence swept through the deep South as militants set fires at 26 locations across Pattani and Yala and launched attacks that killed a policeman and injured two teachers and three soldiers (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- After years of delay, Bangkok Mass Transit System's debt-restructuring process is reaching a new crescendo as major shareholders and its chairman fight over different strategies to deal with debts of more than 40 billion baht (THE NATION)

- The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the watchdog would not press Shin Corp to clarify a reported takeover attempt by Singapore's Temasek Holdings (THE NATION)

- Thai Pure Drink Co, the local bottler of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, plans to spend about 900 million baht ($22.6 million) to expand its soft drink business this year (BANGKOK POST)

- Bangkok Metro (BMCL) cancelled a briefing scheduled for Thursday where it was to announce a 25 percent share sale to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (BANGKOK POST)

(US$1=39.80 Baht)

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149 words
19 January 2006
Thai News Service
English

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra insisted that the news report on the return of 130 Thai Muslims in Malaysia to Thailand is untrue.

Prime Minister Thaksin said that the news was reported by foreign press. He said that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has checked this matter with Malaysia and related agencies, and found that there is still no progress on this case. He said that both countries will attempt to work things out on the issue, but said that the 130 Thai immigrants have yet to return home.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said that complaints have been filed with foreign press that reported the news. He said that the background of the story and the source of the news will be checked, as it has caused confusion.

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993 words
19 January 2006
Bangkok Post
English

Son of the Landmark business empire has his feet firmly planted on the ground

Yvonne Bohwongparsert

Thiti Sihanatkathakul prefers to spend his vacation in a rustic environment with just the basic amenities, even though he is born in a lap of luxury. The eldest son of Mr Jatuporn, the owner of Landmark Hotel on Sukhumvit Road, he is still learning the ropes of his family business of which he is assistant managing director.

Among others, the Sihanatkathakul family empire includes a number of businesses, a hotel in London and a hospital. No wonder Thiti values every little time he gets to relax.

The London-educated hotel executive calls himself a low-key traveller. He prefers to either escape to a peaceful beach destination in southern Thailand or go camping in Khao Yai National Park.

"My leisure travels so far have been mostly in Thailand. The places I choose to visit depend on my prevailing mood," revealed the soft-spoken entrepreneur.

"As I have very little free time for myself, I normally spend my leisure doing whatever my gut feeling dictates. If I had a few days to spare and you asked me where I would like to go, it would probably be Hong Kong; enjoy some dim sum, take a ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong and sip freshly brewed coffee at a restaurant overlooking the city. "

Thiti flies to England every month to oversee operations at the family-owned Royal Lancaster Hotel. Personally, the 30-year-old hotel executive finds English people much less complex to work with than Thais.

English people are efficient, he says, adding that employees at the Royal Lancaster are versatile and multi-skilled.

You seem besotted by England's charm.

Indeed, I am because it is a very nice country to live in. Apart from the winter season, I find the climate there very pleasant. The quality to life is also very good.

I fell in love with the huge parks in and around London. I recommend people to go and visit them.

London is a great city for walks. You can stroll by the river along the popular Thames path. You can also meander in a wealth of green space, from the famous Royal Parks to large semi-rural areas like Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest. There are countless other parks, gardens, nature reserves and woodlands.

To experience typical English culture, Thiti advises visitors to drop by a pub where locals can be seen chilling out watching football and drinking beer.

What are your fondest memories of England from your university days?

My fondest memories of England were the strolls I took in the parks that offer breathtaking view. One of my favourites was Hyde Park, the largest of the royal parks.

Also, the vast variety of food found in its restaurants makes London special.

People tend to think that because I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I had an easy time during my university days in England. In fact, I had to work and study like the rest of my friends. That's why most of my free time was spent relaxing in parks.

You hardly have anytime for leisure travel, how do you cope?

I like travelling to leisure destinations close to Bangkok, given the constraints on free time at my disposal. When ever possible, I like to visit the beach in Bang Saen, Chon Buri, just 45 minutes drive from Bangkok. The sea, sun and mouth-watering seafood there make the trip worthwhile. Sometimes I travel alone because getting a group together takes time.

What do you consider a perfect vacation?

I love the sea and nature. I look for places which are quiet and peaceful because it calms me down after the hectic work schedule I keep. And it doesn't cost a lot of money.

If I have the time I would like to visit beach destinations in southern Thailand. I also like camping in Khao Yai. My idea of good fun is reading a book and sipping freshly brewed coffee. I head for Ayuthaya when I am in the mood to brush up my knowledge of Thai history and culture.

As a hotelier what are your concerns for 2006?

A perennial concern is the way hotels dump prices to attract guests. Cheap prices attract customers, but hoteliers shouldn't over do it. I hope in 2006 our government would think about how to develop and promote Thailand in a better way so that hotels don't have to resort to price war which benefits just a few people.

Nowadays, hotels in Bangkok are starting to position their room rates much better than a couple of years ago, but there are still numerous hotels that can only think of quantity, not quality. I suggest we regulate room rates.

Any suggestions on how to improve Thailand's tourism sector?

I think tourism officials have to take a more aggressive approach. Right now I feel their marketing strategy benefits only a few people. Failure of the Elite Card is one of the many examples of this discrepancy. I suggest in the future the government should plan tourism-related projects more meticulously and enforce them with a sense of commitment to make sure they succeed. Failure to do that will be bad for the country's image.

Tell us about current projects you're working on?

We are waiting for the green light to demolish Siam Hotel on Petchaburi Road and build a five-star hotel catering to business travellers.

It will have about 200 rooms. We want to keep it small and hope to turn it into a boutique-style property offering top class service.

It will also follow the current trend of having limited food outlets while emphasising spa and gym facilities, backed by contemporary design and architecture

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BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-01-19 / 14:04:09 (GMT+7:00)

National economic growth is likely to be between 4.5 and 5.0 per cent this year with an inflation rate staying at around 4.0 per cent, according to the head of the country's largest commercial bank.

Kosit Panpiemras, Executive Chairman of Bangkok Bank, suggested that to make it easier for the business sector to plan, the government should be focusing on maintaining economic stability.

However, he said the government also had to keep a close watch on the current account deficit and inflation, and to adopt the correct monetary policy to manage them.

As well, Mr. Kosit said, the government must encourage companies in each business sector to pay attention to risk management, to strengthen their economic base, and to manage costs efficiently.

Sawat Horrungrueng, president and chief executive officer of Nakhonthai Strip Mill PCL, said although interest rates were tending to rise, it should not be a worry.

He said while interest rates had increased up to 20 per cent, the purchasing power of people, who had been reluctant to spend in the past, continued to increase.

On current political woes, he said it should not be of concern because the government still had a parliamentary majority.

Mr. Sawat also described free trade agreements, such as that being negotiated with the United States, as part of the process each country had through to reduce tariffs under the World Trade Organisation agreement. (TNA) – E005

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450 words
20 January 2006
09:40
English

TOP STORIES

- The chief executive of Singapore's Temasek Holdings, Ho Ching, is to appear at a news conference on Monday to announce the takeover of Thailand's top telecom group Shin Corp PCL , according to a telecom industry source (THE NATION)

- Nine days of performances of Mozart's music began in Bangkok to mark the 250th anniversary of the Austrian composer's birth (THE NATION)

- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he wants to retain Nitya Pibulsonggram as an adviser to Thai negotiators for the trade talks with the U.S. (THE NATION)

- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has issued summonses for four people, including a deputy city governor, alleged to have been involved in irregularities in the e-auctions of contracts for 16 megaprojects in Bangkok (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- U.S. financial giant GE Money is looking to sign a strategic deal with Bank of Ayudhya PCL within the next few months to tap into the robust consumer banking business in Thailand, according to sources (BANGKOK POST)

- At least one Hollywood feature, the action drama Crash Bandits, is expected to be shot in Thailand this year, with an estimated production cost of six billion baht, with further film titles in the pipeline (BANGKOK POST)

- A local industrial company, the Montree Group, has expanded its business to Nauru, one of the world's smallest independent republics (BANGKOK POST)

- State-run mobile phone operator Thai Mobile plans to spend 5.6 billion baht ($141 million) to roll out a 3G broadband cellular network in the major cities and will seek a strategic partner to help develop the service (THE NATION)

- The imminent takeover of Shin Corp by Singapore's Temasek Holdings is responsible for the recent strengthening of the baht against the US dollar, as a huge amount of foreign capital has flowed into the country prior to the transaction, the central bank said (THE NATION)

- Stock Exchange of Thailand president Kittiratt na Ranong has been approached to apply to be the new president of Thai Airways International , says an aviation industry source (THE NATION)

- Suvarnabhumi Airport will open for commercial services in June, as scheduled, despite a fire at the flight catering building of Thai Airways on Wednesday, Thai Airways's acting president Somchainuk Engtrakul said (THE NATION) ($1=39.80 Baht)

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624 words
20 January 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: Government and Politics - Govt to invest heavily in mega-projects; Bt1.48 trln spending plan based on optimistic growth forecasts, The Nation reports.

The Cabinet on January 17 approved a budget of Bt1.48 trillion for the 2007 fiscal year, up Bt116 billion, or 8.5 per cent, from the previous fiscal year amid optimism that the economy will continue to grow strongly.

The budget was worked out on the assumption that the economy would expand 5.5-6 per cent in the year. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last week said the economy should grow by at least 5 per cent this year.

While Bt1.03 trillion is set aside for fixed expenses, up 7.5 per cent on the previous year, Bt388 billion, or 26 per cent, of the total budget is earmarked for investment. To maintain fiscal stability, outstanding public debts will be kept below 50 per cent of gross domestic product and the debt-service ratio at less than 15 per cent of government expenses, said PM's Office Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee.

In 2007, the government will focus on boosting the country's competitiveness especially through the investment in mega projects, as well as seeking economic, social and fiscal balance, he noted.

Fiscal imbalances have been in the public focus after the Finance Ministry raised the borrowing ceiling in the 2006 fiscal year by Bt80 billion to Bt250 billion, amid the delay in the sale of state-owned Egat Plc's shares.

According to the public debt management office, Thailand's outstanding public debts as of November 30, 2005 stood at Bt3.26 trillion, or 45.9 per cent of gross domestic product. An amount of Bt1.82 trillion is direct government borrowing. Out of total debts, 18.2 per cent are foreign loans. Mean-while, Bt2.66 trillion, or 81.5 per cent, of the total are long-term loans.

The office director Panna Stavarodom said that month on month, public debt was down Bt6.7 billion from October. In the first three months of the 2006 fiscal year, starting from October 2005, the government borrowed a total of Bt22.7 billion. Out of that, the Finance Ministry raised Bt9.5 billion while the rest was borrowed by state enterprises.

According to Surapong, the budget is set in accordance with the economic forecasts from four economic agencies - the Finance Ministry, the Budget Bureau, the National Economic and Social Development Board, and the Bank of Thailand - which forecast the 2007 economic growth at 5.5-6 per cent with inflation at 3.4 per cent.

The four agencies concluded that in the year, public investment will be the major economic driver, coupled with foreign investment, while domestic private spending could be adjusted.

Meanwhile, the economy will suffer from the effects of higher oil prices, which are expected to subside in the latter half of the year. The export and tourism sectors should expand due to the recovery in the global economy.

Risk factors include the upward cycle of interest rates and fund flows, as well as the possible increase in global competition. Each ministry must submit their budgets in detail to the Budget Bureau by February 23.

On the allocation of central funds to local administrations, the Budget Bureau has set the ratio at 26 per cent of total government expenses, below the constitutional requirement of 35 per cent.

To increase their revenue, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and PM's Office Minister Suranan Vejjajiva were assigned by the Cabinet on January 17 to come up with suggestions. Primarily, the government might transfer the educational and health expenses allocated to the Education and Public Health ministries to local administrations.

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Last Update : 2006-01-20 / 14:12:35 (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has set April 19, 2006 as the Senate election date.

The EC has, therefore, asked eligible voters in all constituencies across the country to check the presence and accuracy of their names in both household registrations and identity cards.

Any amendments are required to be reported to and corrected by officials in their respective areas within April 8.

Thailand's electorates--citizens with 18 years of age upward, are invited to exercise their right in the new election for the 200-member Senate.

Unlike 500 members of the Thai House of Representatives who each has a four-year term in office, all the newly-elected senators will be in office for six years. (TNA)--E002

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Last Update : 2006-01-20 / 13:05:48 (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) - The Thai Red Cross Council's National Blood Centre is calling on the public to donate blood as 'a gift of life' as part of the kingdom's celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne.

With its campaign entitled, 'Love the King, Donate Blood to Honour the King's 60 Years on Throne', from Jan 1 through Dec 31, 2006, the National Blood Centre hopes to receive 1.6-1.8 million units of donated blood nationwide, 480,000 units in metropolitan Bangkok, and 1.2 million units in other provinces, said Dr. Rachanee O-Charoen, head of the centre.

In addition, the campaign will encourage more public-spirited donors to give blood every three months, or four times a year. The campaign is designed to generate the 10 per cent increase in the number of those who practice donating blood quarterly, she said.

Dr. Rachanee also said that World Health Organization (WHO) has asked Thailand to become the core of Southeast Asian countries organizing activities expressing thanks to blood donors to celebrate the World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

Activities -- including a parade of over 3,000 youths from ASEAN countries -- will be held in conjunction with the celebration of the King's 60 years on the throne.

Thailand's monarch, His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest-reigning monarch. He ascended the throne on June 9, 1946.(TNA)-E009