Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 January 2006 :-

Govt urged to make Malay official language

By Anucha Charoenpo

A veteran peace campaigner has urged the government to make the Malay dialect, spoken by the majority of people in the deep South, another official language of the region to help restore peace and unity.

Mark Tamthai, deputy chairman of the National Security Council's strategic non-violence committee and director of the Chiang Mai-based Phayap University's research institute, made the recommendation to the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) which is finalising a report suggesting solutions to the unrest in the Muslim-dominated southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

The NRC will submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the government by the end of next month.

Mr Mark said he believed that making the Malay dialect another official language besides Thai would give local Muslims a reason to be proud of their heritage and thus help ease tensions.

Also, it would help overcome problems arising from the use of Thai during police questioning of local suspects and witnesses, as well as ensure protection for people's basic rights.

"The government need not fear that local Muslims in the deep South will not speak Thai after they are allowed to use their own dialect as an official language," Mr Mark told a seminar on peace and tolerance in the deep South, held at the Institute of Asian Studies under Chulalongkorn University's Political Science Faculty. Dual official languages have been in use in many other countries with no ill-effects, said Mr Mark, who is also an NRC member.

Citing Spain as an example, he said this European country had been under Generalissimo Francisco Franco, who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1939 to1975. The late dictator had no respect for "regional nationalism" and regional differences. He had made Castilian Spanish the only official language and outlaw other dialects of Spain.

Mr Mark said violence and conflicts were rife in Franco's Spain, which consisted of several minority groups each of which wanted to be independent of the iron-fisted rule.

After Franco's death the Spanish government allowed their people to use their own dialects and made three more dialects official languages.

In the context of "regional nationalism", he said the government should give local Muslims more say in making policy decisions affecting their lives.

The government should study the pros and cons of peace-building efforts from other countries encountering conflicts and take lessons from them to adjust measures for peace in the deep South.

He cited Sri Lanka as a country mired in violence, saying the Thai government should also look at elements that hamper peace-building efforts in the deep South.

Associate Professor Chanthana Banphasirichote, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, said she and colleagues from Prince of Songkhla University, Assumption University and Yala Islamic College have been doing a research comparing the levels of tolerance of southern violence between Bangkokians and residents of the Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Songkhla and Yala.

Their findings will be added to the NRC's final report and recommendations.

Meanwhile, violence in the deep South continued yesterday.

In Narathiwat, Marosae Joso, 42, a rubber plantation owner, was shot and wounded by a motorcycle gunman while on his way to tap rubber yesterday.

He was sent to Narathiwat Rachanagarind Hospital where he was reported to be in critical condition.

In Songkhla, Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Jaras Promchuay, 46, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds on a road in Thepha district yesterday. He was ambushed while on foot patrol following an assignment briefing at Huay Pling police station.

Supri Awae, 21, and Niso Ti-ngi, 25, accused of killing two marines in Tanyong Limo village last September and arrested on Saturday in Narathiwat's Rangae district, were yesterday handed over to Rangae police for legal proceedings after being questioned at the police forward command in Yala.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 January 2006 :-

Chinese New Year heats up

By Chatrudee Theparat

Chinese New Year festivals are expected to generate more than one billion baht in tourism revenue and attract more than 300,000 local and international visitors, according to a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Santichai Euachongpreasit said that of the 300,000 projected visitors, more than 30,000 were expected to be from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.The number of international visitors during Chinese New Year was expected to increase 50% from last year's figure.

The TAT has earmarked a budget of 10 million baht to support Chinese New Year festivals held by public and private organisations in Bangkok's Yaowarat area and in other provincial tourist destinations including Hat Yai, Phuket, Nakhon Sawan and Pattaya, said Mr Santichai.

In Yaowarat, the festival will be bigger than ever with plenty of lantern decorations, as organisers mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne and the 30th anniversary of Thai-Chinese bilateral relations, he said.

About 600 'gold' prizes will be given away at draws during the festival in Yaowarat, which starts on Jan 29.

The onset of the Year of the Dog is also expected to spur spending sentiment. Retailers have already started staging Chinese New Year sales promotions.

[siamcutey]

Originally Posted by KatoeyLover69

Horton's mother told BBC Wales: "I have never believed in the death penalty. I don't believe anyone has the right to take another person's life.
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My comments :-

Elizabeth Horton is perfectly right in saying that " she would not want to interfere with the Thai legal system."

Whereas PM Thaksin has asked for the Court to pass the death penalty on the 2 suspects. In doing so PM Thaksin is "interfering with the judicial system

She's right by saying no one has the right to take another person's life but the fact is the rapists cum murderers do not have the right to rape and take her daughter's life away too.

Anyway the max sentence to be given for such a crime is execution with lethal injection. If they are given the max sentence, it is not considered interfering with the judicial system.

With their unremorseful actions and behaviour, I seriously think they should be given the max sentence if not would anyone out there still have trust in Thailand's judicial system?

SC

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 17 January 2006 :-

Mitsubishi's largest plant to come online in Thailand

By Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

The world's largest Mitsubishi air-conditioner factory in Chachoengsao will be completed in September this year.

After the 1.2-billion-baht factory in the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate is up and running, the total capacity of Mitsubishi Electric Consumer Products (Thailand) Co will double to three million units per year, 80% of which are destined for export.

Thailand is one of the most important air-conditioner production bases for Mitsubishi, alongside Japan, China and Scotland, said Mitsushige Dehari, managing director of Mitsubishi Electric Kangyong Watana Co, the distributor of Mitsubishi appliances.

Since the facilities in Japan and China can only serve local demand, the parent firm looked to Thailand to serve and expand its export markets, he added.

"The increased capacity from the Thai operation will be exported to Japan, Europe, South America and other countries we have yet to reach. It will fulfil our parent firm's policy of becoming one of the world's three largest distributors of air-conditioning products in the future," said Mr Dehari.

Currently, LG is the world's best-selling brand, followed by the Chinese brand Gree, while Mitsubishi has dropped to No. 5 from No. 3 over the past few years.

Locally, sales of all Mitsubishi products in fiscal 2005 ending on March 31, 2006 are estimated at 6.4 billion baht, up over 17% from the same period last year.

Praphon Potivorakun, Mitsubishi Electric Kangyong Watana's deputy managing director, said overall market demand for home appliances in Thailand last year grew by 5% and sales turned out to be better than expected.

"As the weather was hot throughout the first half of last year, we introduced an affordable economy-type model to meet the demand. As a result, sales of our air-conditioner products grew by 60% last year," he said.

The Thai economy this year is expected to grow by 5%, partly driven by more exports as a result of the proliferation of free trade agreements.

The market growth of electrical appliances this year will be on par with the 5% seen last year. The opening of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the World Cup tournament this year will help boost the overall demand.

To tap it, the company will spend about 530 million baht on advertising and promotional campaigns this year.

Sales are expected at seven billion baht for the 2006 fiscal year ending in March 2007. Of the total sales, about 57% will be contributed by air-conditioners, 19% refrigerators and 10% water pumps.

[poompoom]

Originally Posted by siamcutey

She's right by saying no one has the right to take another person's life but the fact is the rapists cum murderers do not have the right to rape and take her daughter's life away too.

Anyway the max sentence to be given for such a crime is execution with lethal injection. If they are given the max sentence, it is not considered interfering with the judicial system.

With their unremorseful actions and behaviour, I seriously think they should be given the max sentence if not would anyone out there still have trust in Thailand's judicial system?

SC

these 2 guy facial expression look very YA YA even kanna caught by the police. think it very bad to the imagine of thailand if dun give them a hard 1. ppls wont scare. must kill chicken let monkey see mah.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The STAR dated Tuesday 17 January 2006 :-

Malaysia repatriates 131 Thai Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has repatriated all 131 Thai Muslims who fled violence in southern Thailand and crossed illegally into Malaysia, officials said Tuesday.

The Thai villagers' return to their home country has ended any concerns that relations with Thailand might be hurt by their presence in Malaysia, said Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"They've been sent back already,'' Radzi told reporters.

"Both sides are very happy. Thailand is happy, we are happy. It's no more an issue.''

Radzi could not say exactly when the Thais had been repatriated.

They had crossed the border into Malaysia last August.

Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail also said Tuesday that the Thais had been sent back, adding that he had been informed about it "some time ago.''

The 131 Thais illegally crossed the border into Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan on Aug. 30 last year, claiming they felt threatened by the Thai military's crackdown on Islamic insurgents.

They were subsequently detained by Malaysian immigration authorities.

One of the refugees was handed over in November to Thai officials, who accused him of treason, stealing arms and the slaying of an official.

Malaysia is a mainly Muslim country, while neighboring Thailand is predominantly Buddhist.

However, Thailand's far south bordering Malaysia has a Muslim majority and is facing an Muslim insurgency that has left more than 1,100 people dead since January 2004. - AP

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 2006 :-

130 Thai Muslims still in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (BP-dpa) - Malaysia has issued an apology to Thailand that one of its ministers "miscommunicated" by announcing that all 130 Thai Muslims who fled into the country last August had been released and sent back to Thailand. No such release or return actually occurred.

Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail said his statement on the release of the refugees was a miscommunication and apologised for the error.

"I sincerely apologise for the wrong information on the matter," he told the official Bernama agency, just hours after another senior Malaysian minister also told reporters that the Muslim refugees had been released. They had not.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamad Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said earlier Tuesday that the 130 had returned home, but declined to give further details of their supposed release. Mohamad Radzi could not be contacted for comment last evening.

Both men's statements caused surprise in Thailand.

Mr Radzi told reporters the 130 Thai Muslims who left for Malaysia last August had been sent back to Thailand. He said this morning all 130 were "released" quietly last year, without publicity, and sent back to Thailand.

"No more issues. All have been sent back," he told Bernama. "Both sides (Malaysia and Thailand) are very happy."

But a few hours later, there was confusion. Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said as far as he knew, "the 131 people are still in Malaysia and Malaysia is taking care of them".

"I checked with the Foreign Ministry, our embassy in Malaysia and police officials. Nobody said there was a release of 131 Muslim Thais from Malaysia," he told reporters. "The Malaysian government has not told us anything."

Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Wannasathit, with day-to-day responsibility for security in the far south, said the Interior Ministry and immigration officials on the Thai-Malaysian border could also confirm the 131 had not yet returned. But then many people pass the border without checking with authorities - just as the Muslims did when they left for Malaysia in August.

"We're surprised by the report. We verified it with our embassy and other sources. It's not true," a foreign ministry official told Thai newsmen and Bernama. He added the refugees were currently still at a holding centre in Malaysia's northeastern Terengganu state.

The Muslims were interviewed by officers from the UN refugee agency in Kuala Lumpur, a move which Bangkok slammed as seen to be interfering with its internal affairs.

In December, Malaysia handed over one of the refugees to Thailand after a request by authorities to question the man on his alleged involvement in the January 4, 2004 robbery of 300 weapons from an army depot.

The 131 Thais had claimed that they fled Thailand's Narathiwat province out of fear for their safety in light of increasing violence in Thailand's deep South - Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces - where more than 1,000 people have died in clashes and revenge killings over the last 22 months.

The flight of the Thais from Narathiwat province for Kelantan state last August triggered testy exchanges and flurries of diplomatic concern. One man was arrested on Thai request and forcibly returned to face charges of violence.

The Malaysians said the Thais fled unrest in the South. Thailand maintained the 130 were pawns of separatists. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees initially tried to investigate the case but quickly backed off when challenged by Thailand.

[U-Need]

Published on January 18, 2006

Video link opens channel for PM to lash out at critics, rally ministers to help the poor. Prime Minister Thaksin Shina-watra chaired yesterday’s Cabinet meeting via video-conference link from Government House to Wat Ban Kloy in Roi Et’s At Samat district.

The telecast started with a tirade by the premier against his critics, then ranged over a swag of different issues - from protest marches, poverty alleviation and education matters to smuggled cars from Malaysia.

In remarks before reviewing the agenda, Thaksin noted the vacant seats in the Cabinet room, saying tongue-in-cheek that many ministers were working with him to tackle poverty-related problems in At Samat.

He then told ministers in Bangkok about his encounter with 300 protesters after arriving Roi Et Airport on Monday.

“I talked to anti-dam protesters and those from a potash mine and agreed to meet them again for lunch on February 24 in Udon Thani,” he said.

These protesters were from non-government groups and aired their grievances within reason.

“But there is a group of people bent on overthrowing the government. I will not waste time trying to talk to them as they are cheaters and cannot understand any human language,” he said.

He lashed out at his critics, who he said comprised a man who committed fraud but escaped punishment due to the expiry of statutory limitations, a loan defaulter and a rogue businessman who cheated shareholders.

“These people vented their anger at the government, which denied them any favours,” he said.

He also made sarcastic remarks about his critics, characterising them as political vagrants for hire and saying police and the Social Development and Human Security Ministry should round them up for rehabilitation.

The prime minister continued his tirade by instructing Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vana-satidya to tighten law enforcement regarding public demonstrations.

“Relevant authorities should strictly ban any marches on Bangkok roads and tolerate only those keeping to the sidewalks,” he said, referring to the march by protesters last Friday from Sondhi’s talk-show at Lumpini Park which culminated in an intrusion at Government House.

Thaksin then turned to his trip to the Northeast, saying he had asked the Interior Ministry to instruct At Samat district officials to conduct a comprehensive review on the supply and demand for local products in order to improve the livelihood of locals.

He said the Interior Ministry would work jointly with the Social Develop-ment and Human Security Ministry to find gainful employment for villagers.

On Monday night, he said he met a couple who owned a sewing machine but recently found that production orders had dried up. He urged authorities to help them find new orders for garments or supplementary income from agriculture. He said most poor villagers whom he met on his first day needed to boost their monthly earnings by Bt3,000 to Bt5,000.

The National Economic and Social Development Board would act as the secretariat to co-ordinate with local authorities nationwide in implementing the At Samat model of poverty eradication as demonstrated by him, he said.

Commenting on events relating to the National Children’s Day and the Teachers’ Day, he said he was impressed with proposals advanced by a children’s council and an opinion survey on teachers’ performance. “I told the education minister to act on the children’s proposals regarding pornographic media outlets and the survey on teaching quality,” Thaksin said.

“I also instructed Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai to map out preventive measures against child abuse,” he added.

This year, the Education Ministry will launch a campaign to do away with rote learning, which is still prevalent from kindergarten to doctorate studies, he said.

Deputy Education Minister Rung Kaewdaeng had been assigned to deal with teachers’ debt problems, so they could devote full attention to their classes, he said.

He further stated that he had ordered Chidchai and Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura to jointly supervise the investigation into the arms smuggling case in Phetchaburi. “I suspect the involvement of a lieutenant colonel and want the case solved,” he said.

In his other instructions, he said Deputy Prime Wissanu Krea-ngam would organise a government reception in honour of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

HRH has received the Indira Gandhi medal.

Chidchai had been given the task of overseeing inquiries into the smuggling of luxury cars from Malaysia, following the uncovering of a smuggling gang by police inspector General Seripisut Temiyavej, he said.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya then interjected, saying said seized cars would not be auctioned off but distributed for government use.

The measure would prevent smugglers from laundering their illegal operations by buying back impounded cars before reselling them on the market, Thanong said.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

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Headline sucks: PM

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hit out at several newspapers yesterday for what he viewed as their biased coverage of his reality show being broadcast by UBC from Roi Et province.

He singled out the Thai-language Kom Chad Luek, in which a front-page headline read: “Villagers banned from selling in At Samat”. The report said local food stalls were not allowed to do business during the prime minister’s visit to the district.

"This headline sucks, it’s not constructive. Writing like this can hurt the country. The writer must be dreaming, not awake," Thaksin said during his breakfast, adding that he had bought some local dishes on his first night in the province.

"I dont want to be praised [by the media], but they should care more about a code of ethics," he said.

Thaksin was having a breakfast with a handful of Cabinet members who are accompanying him on his anti-poverty mission. He also hosted a meal for a group of reporters covering the reality show.

Shortly before 8am, the prime minister and his entourage left for Ban Kloy Temple, about 2km away, for a Cabinet meeting via a video-conferencing system. Thaksin travelled on a home-made farm truck and gave the driver Bt2,000, telling him to use it for the fuel. The truck driver, Preecha Mithaowan, said he was very happy and felt it was a great honour to have driven the truck for the government leader. –The Nation

[U-Need]

633 words
18 January 2006
Bangkok Post
English

The Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) is organising its annual "Communicating in Business English" seminar from March 12 to May 21, at its premises. Applications will be accepted until February 1.

The cost is 3,100 baht. Call 02-259-9160-9 ext 1811 for more information.

Voice of Islam

Walailuck University and the University of Copenhagen are organising a seminar entitled "Voices of Islam in Europe and Southeast Asia" at the Twin Lotus Hotel, Nakhon Si Thammarat province from January 20 to 22.

Panelists include academics from Europe and Asia.

Call 07-567-2073 or 07-567-2014 for more information.

College music concert

The College of Music, Mahidol University invites music lovers to enjoy the "6th Concert" on January 27 and 28, performed by the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO).

The concert will be conducted by Claude Villaret in the college's Music Auditorium. Pieces to be performed include Luang Pradit Pairau's or Sorn Silpabanlaeng's, Khaek Khow, Chopin's Piano Concerto in E minor, No 1 and Mozart's Symphony No 40, in G minor, K550.

The soloist is Adrian Oetiker. Tickets are 200 baht.

For more information and reservations, call 02-800-2525 ext 154/5 or 241.

Economics fun

Dhurakij Pundit University's Faculty of Economics will stage an "Economics Problem Solving Competition for Secondary Students" on January 26 at the Chalermkiat Building and Sanan Ketudat. Teachers who would like their students to enter the contest should call 02-954-7300 ext 358 or 565.

Dharma weekend

The Young Buddhists Association of Thailand and the House of Dharma will hold a weekend Vipassana (Insight) meditation retreat, running from 5pm on Friday, February 3 to the evening of Sunday February 5. Instruction will be in English, with some Thai translation. It will be held at the Young Buddhist's Association of Thailand's meditation centre in Pathum Thani. The retreat is open to all, and it is not necessary to be a Buddhist to take part. Vegetarian food and single room accommodation will be provided.

For more information, call 02-511-0439, email [email protected] or visit www.houseofdhamma.com/detailsret04.htm .

Going global

If you're interested in internationally-successful Thai products, you should attend the talk "Yothaka Retrospective", to be given by Suwan Kongkhunthian and Somchai Thanapolkiat at the Thailand Creative and Design Centre, on January 27, from 7 to 9pm. The speakers are the founders of Yothaka International, one of the leading water hyacinth furniture manufacturers and exporters. The talk will reveal the company's success in using local material to create items that are successful on the international market. Admission is free. For more information, call 02-664-7667.

Gems and Jewellery Seminar

The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) will give a free gems and jewellery seminar entitled "How to Buy Diamonds" and "Understanding Basic Jewellery Design" (in English). The seminar will be held on January 19, from 1 to 4pm at the AIGS office, 33rd Floor, Jewellery Trade Centre, Silom Road. For reservations call 02-267-4315-9.

New book promotion

Asia Books is holding a "New Year, New You" promotion, to highlight new books to help freshen up your life. The promotion is running at all Asia Books branches from now until February 15.

In addition to the promotion, customers spending 2,000 baht on selected titles will get a 200 baht gift voucher or a book from The Tao of Pooh series.

For more information, call 02-715-9000 or visit to www.asiabooks.com .

Used discs

Bored with a DVD, CD or VCD? Take it to CD Warehouse and sell it for cash or part-exchange it for a new disk.

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, Jan 17 (TNA) – The Highways Department plans to seek foreign investment in the construction of six new routes of motorways with a distance of 870 kilometers worth 160 billion baht under a program to build alliances for development of Thailand.

Chaiswasdi Kittipornpaiboon, the department’s director-general, said here on Tuesday that the plan is part of efforts to build a network of the country’s transport system and facilitate tourists’ travel and land transport of goods.

It is also initiated in support of the government’s attempt to find foreign partners in the investment in mega-projects to be presented for investors to consider on January 26.

The six routes comprise Bangpa in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima with a distance of 200 km, Bangyai-Nakhon Pathom-Kanchanaburi with 98 km, Nakhon Pathom-Samut Songkram-Cha-am with 134 km, Pattaya-Mab Ta Pud with 38 km, Saraburi-Bang Pa Kong with 150 km, and a third ring road of Bangkok with 250 km.

He said the department had once explored the routes under the project at an initial stage

The construction project will be proposed in packages under which foreign investors could opt to invest partially or wholly. But they have to make a study on environment and construction by themselves.

‘’We believe the six new routes of motorways will help compete the networks of roads. Without a reliance on state budget, the project can be implemented quickly. It will help save travel and transport time considerably,’’ he said. (TNA) – E005

[U-Need]

304 words
18 January 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: General News - A high percentage of people in the Bangkok metropolis area disagree with the reality TV style coverage of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Roi Et this week, a survey has found, The Nation reports.

Almost 29 per cent of those surveyed expressed their disapproval of the format, while just over 20 per cent said they approved of the idea to broadcast the reality TV show on UBC cable television. The remaining 51 per cent of the respondents offered no opinion on the matter, according to the results of an Abac Poll released by Assumption University on Sunday.

The majority of the respondents, or 36 per cent, said that they believed the events to take place during the Backstage Show: The Prime Minister would be scripted, something that the prime minister has already denied. Twenty-nine per cent of those surveyed said they believed that the show would be unscripted.

The remaining 35 per cent declined to offer an opinion on the matter.

Almost 32 per cent of the respondents said they believed the show would help viewers to understand how the PM and his Cabinet were tackling poverty issues, compared to 24 per cent who disagreed with the statement. The remainder offered no comment.

When asked who would benefit from the show, 38 per cent said they believed nobody would benefit, followed by 33 per cent who said they believed the prime minister would benefit, 27 per cent who said UBC would benefit, and 26 per cent who said that the general public would benefit.

The survey was conducted among 1,538 people aged 18 and over in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces on Friday and Saturday.

[U-Need]

685 words
18 January 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: General News - For those who are sceptical about the opening of Suvarnabhumi airport, given the numerous false starts so far, June 2006 is the date they should look forward to, the Bangkok Post reports.

The words of assurance come not from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra or other politicians, but from the person who is supposed to know what is going there best - Somchai Sawasdeepon, the airport's general manager.

"By the end of May, all systems will definitely be ready for commercial flights," he said in an interview last week.

"Yes, the airport will be 100% ready and can be safely operated by June."

However, the official opening date of the 125-billion-baht facility, first planned some 40 years ago, will be decided by the government, said Mr Somchai.

The government reportedly plans to open the airport for flights carrying world leaders and dignitaries who will be attending celebrations later this year to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne.

Mr Somchai said work on the airport was 99.8% complete and most of the activities now under way involved testing, commissioning and correcting minor defects.

About 25,000 workers are still engaged in various phases of work to ensure that the new deadline is met.

At the height of construction in the middle of last year, the labour force swelled to 50,000 as they worked around the clock to prepare for the first test flight on Sept 29, 2005 - the date previously set for completion.

According to Mr Somchai, by March all construction activity will be completed. "What we will see then will be experts, engineers and technical personnel testing various systems," he said.

The senior executive of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) did acknowledge concerns over the baggage-handling system, which has undergone months of rigorous tests so far.

"There is 3-5% malfunction rate resulting from problems such as misreading of barcodes on baggage tags and the mechanical system of the carousels," he said.

The baggage-handling system must work faultlessly if the airport is to be declared fully ready for operation, Mr Somchai said.

The system, with its 22-kilometre conveyor belt, is designed to handle 10,500 bags per hour.

While the aviation industry said the integration of computer-based units around the site of the main airport into the 'Aims' (airport information management system) was the most critical factor that would hold up the opening of Suvarnabhumi, Mr Somchai thinks differently.

"I'm not concerned about Aims so much. I can guarantee that the whole system will be operational by May 15," he said.

Appointed as the airport's general manager last October, Mr Somchai confirmed that AoT on Dec 30 sent out letters to all airlines, 99 in total, announcing that the airport "will be ready for operational service in 180 days and AoT will inform you of the exact opening in due course".

However, aviation executives still question the June opening date, in spite of the written notification, saying that facilities need more time for test runs.

Critics have said the more likely date for the commercial start-up of the airport, about five times the size of the existing Don Muang airport, is the last quarter of the year.

Mr Somchai acknowledged that doubts that still lingered in the minds of aviation executives because they did not have access to full information and updates about progress.

"There is a shortcoming in the communication and information flow that we will seek to improve," he conceded.

"In fact, we have only 140 people (AoT officials) who are handling this mammoth project."

As well, he said, misinformation had been fed to the media and the public on some airport-related issues by parties with hidden agendas.

For instance, some companies have complained that they still did not know how much they would have to pay AoT for the use of space at the airport.

Mr Somchai produced a letter dated Nov 18, 2005 with details of the charges.

[U-Need]

670 words
18 January 2006
Bangkok Post
English

BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROENRIT & SUJINTANA HEMTASILPA

Ad agencies, media companies and alcoholic beverage producers have cried foul over a new public health measure to ban the advertising of alcoholic beverages.

Industry executives said the proposed law would have a sweeping impact on entertainment businesses and the economy well beyond the 2.6 billion baht spent each year on advertising alcohol.

Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat on Monday floated an idea to either curb TV slots for alcoholic beverage commercials to just three hours per day from seven now, or to prohibit advertising altogether.

Commercials for beer, spirits and other drinks are permitted on TV only from 10 pm to 5 am. The new proposal would curb airtime to between 2 am and 5 am. A decision is expected within 45 days, with the general aim to curb underage drinking and drunk driving.

The debate over advertising alcohol comes amid a massive public campaign against plans by Thai Beverage, the largest producer of alcoholic beverages in the country, to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Securities regulators earlier this week said they would delay any review of ThaiBev's listing plan until a new law is passed to regulate the sales and marketing of alcoholic beverages. ThaiBev produces market leaders Chang beer, Mekhong rum and dozens of other spirits.

Kasemsant Veerakun, a spokesman for Thai Beverage, expressed concern about the impact of tighter ad controls.

"We accept that controls will happen, even though they will affect sales, so long as they are applied equally to all," he said. "But such controls will affect other industries, including entertainment and media companies."

Mr Kasemsant said there were a number of laws that already existed to control alcohol sales, but they were undermined by poor enforcement.

A blanket law would impede the introduction of new brands, he added, and suggested that authorities look to other countries over how they used public education campaigns to curb consumption.

Chaipranin Visudhipol, the president of the Advertising Association of Thailand and chairman of the agency TBWA/Thailand Co, agreed that an ad ban would hurt the growth of the market.

Both Chang and Singha beers, the two largest brands in the market, would face obstacles in expanding locally through new brands, which in turn could hurt efforts to grow overseas, he said.

The proposed restrictions also conflicted with the government's policy to encourage free trade.

"Personally, I think the government has its reasons and will be methodical before making a decision. Any move will have to consider both the social and economic impact," Mr Chaipranin said.

According to Nielsen Media Research, alcoholic product ad spending totalled 2.6 billion baht in 2005, up from 2.2 billion the previous year. Alcoholic beverage ads accounted for 2.9% of all media spending.

TV commercials accounted for 65% of total spending by alcoholic beverage producers at 1.7 billion baht last year, followed by 382 million spent on newspaper ads, 249 million on cinema ads and the rest on outdoor, radio and magazine ads.

Niwattumrong Boonsonpaisan, the executive chairman of the television station iTV Plc, said the channel would be only slightly affected by any curb on ads.

At Major Cineplex, the country's largest cinema chain, executive chairman Vicha Poolvaraluck shared similar sentiments.

"But of course, it's certainly better if the Public Health Ministry decided to be kind enough to spare us," Mr Vicha added.

For Major Cineplex, ads accounted for just 8% of the company's total annual revenues of four billion baht per year.

Sasikorn Chansate, managing director of Kantana Group Plc, a major TV producer, said advertising restrictions would affect some popular television shows that are currently sponsored by alcoholic beverage companies.

"I think the government is addressing the problem in the wrong way," Ms Sasikorn said.

"Better enforcement of existing laws would be better, as well as more education campaigns among the public about the dangers of excessive drinking."

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377 words
18 January 2006
09:36

TOP STORIES

- Confusion arose over the fate of 130 Muslim Thais who sought refuge in Malaysia in August after senior officials in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok released conflicting reports regarding their repatriation (THE NATION)

- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continued to dole out "assistance" to poor villagers in At Samat district of Roi Et as his poverty-eradication reality show went into its second day (BANGKOK POST)

- After arriving from China more than two years ago, giant pandas Xuang Xuang and Lin Hui delighted Chiang Mai Zoo officials and hordes of visitors who witnessed their first mating (BANGKOK POST)

- Nit Pibulsongkram is to resign as head of the Thai team negotiating a free-trade agreement with the United States because of the tremendous political pressure weighing on him, according to a source at Government House (THE NATION)

BUSINESS

- Norway's Telenor expressed indifference to stiffer competition if Singapore's Temasek Holdings manages to acquire a major stake in Advanced Info Service , saying DTAC was ready to compete with any rival (BANGKOK POST)

- Thai Airways International is expected to achieve improved revenues and profits in its first fiscal quarter of 2006, similar to the levels of a year ago, a senior executive said (BANGKOK POST)

- Ad agencies, media companies and alcoholic beverage producers have cried foul over a new public health measure to ban the advertising of alcoholic beverages (BANGKOK POST)

- Anti-alcohol protesters remained in front of Diethelm Tower, vowing to proceed with their protest until the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) puts up a definite block against the listing of alcohol companies (THE NATION)

- Siam Commercial Bank urged banks not to be so afraid of a future Thailand-US free-trade agreement, citing an example from the European Union where the banking sector enjoys full liberalisation but customers still prefer local banks due to their long-standing trust (THE NATION)

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274 words
18 January 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: General News - This year's Chinese New Year celebration is deemed as an auspicious event to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne. And thus, the TAT is collaborating with various agencies who are working on the China Town's Chinese New Year celebration in Yaowarat this year. A press briefing was organized on this promising festivity, where Tourism and Sports Minister Pracha Maleenont, TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan, Bangkok Governor Aphirak Kosayothin and other VIPs were presented.

Almost every year during the Chinese New Year celebration in Yaowarat, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has usually visited the festivity. As for this year, a ceremony will be arranged to bless the Thai-Chinese descendants resided in Thailand, where the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and a representative from the Chinese government will give the New Year's blessings near Odien Roundabout. A ceremony will also be held to honor His Majesty the King and His Majesty's dog named Tongdang as this year is the Year of the Dog.

In addition, visitors can also enjoy many different food items from the emperor's menu, and they can be involved in other Thai-Chinese activities as well, such as paying homage at six auspicious locations. Once they have paid homage at all six locations, they can then participate in a raffle draw, to win more than 600 prizes. The raffle tickets will be drawn on January 30th.