Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Casino on the cards: Kantathi

Also tries to woo UK investors for mega-projects. Thailand expects to soon allow the nation’s first casino to be built, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon told UK business people during a visit to the country this week.

“It’s still being debated, but there is a strong possibility that a casino will be possible in the near future,” he said.

Kantathi, whose trip to the UK and Germany ends on Saturday, is there to drum up interest among investors in Thailand’s Bt 1.7-trillion infrastructure mega-projects.

Casinos have nothing to do with the mega-investment plan, but the visiting Thai foreign minister made his comments in response to a question raised by UK venture-capital company Global Group about a casino notion floated by the Thaksin government a few years ago.

He was speaking at Asia House - a non-profit organisation set up to promote cooperation between Europe and Asia - in London on Tuesday on the topic of “Partnerships for Development and Thai Mega-projects”.

Global Group chairman Johnny Hon said his company, which has already invested in some Thai properties, was interested in investing in a casino project in Thailand if the government legalised the business.

Hon said the Thai government should legalise casinos, to keep revenues in the country, since many Thais already go to ones in neighbouring countries. A Global Group subsidiary has provided an IT system for the state lottery in China.

Casinos have long been prohibited in Thailand, while in the next two years, Singapore is scheduled to open its first two, in a bid to lure more tourists to the city-state.

Kantathi also told the audience that Thailand was keen on working closely with Singapore to speed up formation of an Asean Community. The Southeast Asian regional grouping has agreed to form the community - which would enhance economic, political, security and socio-cultural cooperation among participants - by 2020. Thailand and Singapore have both proposed a fast-track approach that would allow member countries that are ready to form one first - by 2015 - instead of waiting for each country to join at once.

As for mega-projects, Kantathi said the government hoped to use them to modernise the country by professionally managing its resources and tapping talent from throughout the world.

He said the plans may sound vague, but it was the government’s intention to make it vague, because: “We want to stimulate innovation”. Investors will be allowed to come up with their own creative solutions to modernise Thailand in five areas: infrastructure, natural resources and the environment, information and communications technology, national defence and miscellaneous.

Colin Dennis, director-general of Campden & Charleywood and who attended the Asia House forum, said the Thailand mega-projects were very interesting, but it was too early to say whether his firm would participate in any bidding. “My concern is how the project will be paid for. Every company needs to see a return,” he told The Nation. “[Or] it could be a very good way to get a lot of ideas free of charge.”

SK Lingam, chairman of the Asean-UK Business Forum, said Kantathi’s “magnificent” address conveyed a lot of confidence in Thailand and imparted the significance of Thailand in the context of both Asean and East Asian countries.

“After listening to his excellency’s address, I am confident that there will be an avalanche of UK companies interested in engaging in this partnership for development and Thai mega-projects,” he said.

Pichaya Changsorn
The Nation
London

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Malaysia opens local news agency

Malaysia's Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir opened the Malaysian National News Agency's (Bernama) Thailand Bureau today.

The Malaysian Information Minister - who is in Thailand for a four-day visit - said the Bangkok bureau would help enhance ties between Malaysia and Thailand, through wider dissemination and exchange of information, especially in economic and social fields.

Mr Fadzir said Bernama realised the importance of having a strong presence in Thailand as relations between both countries, particularly in business and trade increase.

Thailand's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Sub-Lt Prapas Limpabandhu, Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Shaarani Ibrahim, Bernama General Manager Datuk Syed Jamil Jaafar as well as foreign diplomats and local media representatives were present for the opening ceremony at the Dusit Thani Hotel.

Previously, Bernama operated in Bangkok from 1970s to 1988 before it ceased operations due to regional economic crisis.

The news agency - established in 1967 - now provides text news in Malay, English, Mandarin and Arabic and television news in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil to satellite TV ASTRO.

The agency also has Bernama Fotoweb, an electronic image library, enabling round-the-clock online access to more than two million photographs.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Don Muang to serve low-cost carriers, charter, private planes

By Amornrat Mahitthirook

The Transport Ministry has proposed that Don Muang airport continue to serve low-cost carriers, chartered flights and private planes to ease air traffic at Suvarnabhumi. It would also host a maintenance centre for heavy aircraft.

Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal has told Airports of Thailand to prepare plans to move part of the traffic at Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi when the new airport becomes operational, scheduled for later this year.

Mr Pongsak said 38 million passengers last year passed through Don Muang airport, which served 276,000 flights.

The the committee in charge of Don Muang's day-to-day affairs, headed by Mahidol Changdrangkun, assistant to the transport minister, earlier suggested that the airport's domestic terminal serve low-cost carriers.

Mr Mahidol said most low-cost airlines would prefer Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi to cut costs. Only a few would need Suvarnabhumi for connecting flights overseas.

The international terminal number one would serve chartered flights, state and private planes under the proposal.

The second international terminal at Don Muang airport would be leased to the private sector for use as an exhibition centre, a mall for one-tambon-one-product goods or even an export centre.

Four cargo warehouses at Don Muang airport would be converted into aircraft maintenance facilities for civil and air force planes.

Mr Mahidol said his proposal would end confusion over the government's single airport policy.

Suvarnabhumi airport would serve commercial domestic and international flights, while Don Muang would be dedicated to the development of aviation services.

During a trial run of passenger processing facilities at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday, the baggage handling system misdirected 39 of the 3,000 bags run through it. The system will be put to the test again in April, when 10,500 bags will be put through.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Nonthaburi police feel heat over pornography

Nonthaburi's Muang district police chief is the first senior police officer to feel the heat in the government's latest crackdown on pornography. PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob said the prime minister had ordered national police chief Pol Gen Kowit Wattana to transfer Pol Col Wasant Booncharoen for repeated negligence in failing to eliminate pornography within his jurisdiction.

The Nonthaburi boat pier is a notorious distribution centre for pornographic VCDs.

The prime minister on Jan 10 assigned Mr Newin to act on his behalf and wipe out all kinds of pornography, including cartoons and advertisements, lewd video games and websites. The crackdown was launched on Feb 1.

Mr Newin also hosts a radio show on FM 105, from 3pm to 5pm, during which people can give information on the sale and distribution of pornography.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Thais down the visa-free list

Citizens of Finland, Denmark and the United States have the greatest freedom to travel without visas, according to a study by the Swiss firm Henley & Partners AG.

Thais rank way down the list of citizens able to visit countries without visas. Finns, Danes and Americans can go to 130 countries without a visa - Thais can go to just 29.

Singaporeans can go to 122 different countries without visas, and Malaysians can visit 120.

Even Saudi Arabians can go to two more countries than Thai citizens. Below Thais on the list are Iranians, Iraqis, Chinese and, at the bottom, Afghanis, who can go to just 12 countries without a visa.

Here is the list of main countries and the number of countries which citizens can visit without obtaining visas, compiled by the Swiss firm on its website.

Finland (130)
Denmark (130)
United States (130)
Ireland (129)
Sweden (129)
Germany (129)
United Kingdom (128)
Italy (128)
France (128)
Japan (128)
Spain (127)
Norway (127)
Switzerland (127)
Belgium (127)
Netherlands (126)
Luxembourg (125)
Austria (125)
Canada (125)
New Zealand (125)
Portugal (123)
Singapore (122)
Malaysia (120)
Iceland (120)
Greece (120)
Australia (120)
Liechtenstein (116)
South Korea (115)
Hong Kong (110)
Chile (109)
Israel (104)
Hungary (101)
Argentina (101)
Brazil (99)
Mexico (98)
Croatia (84)
Romania (73)
South Africa (65)
St. Kitts & Nevis (62)
Dominica (52)
Turkey (52)
Taiwan (42)
United Arab Emirates (35)
Russian Federation (35)
Serbia and Montenegro (32)
Saudi Arabia (31)
Thailand (29)
India (25)
Bosnia and Herzegowina (25)
Egypt (24)
Jordan (21)
China (18)
North Korea 18)
Pakistan (17)
Iraq (15)
Iran (14)
Afghanistan (12)

Source: (http://www.henleyglobal.com/visa_restrictions.htm)

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 2 February 2006 :-

Singapore to cut airport fees

Singapore has come up with a strategy to maintain its position as the regional aviation hub, with a plan to cut its landing fees by 15 per cent next month in an apparent bid to attract more clients from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

According to an aviation source, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore plans to reduce its airport service fees at Changi Airport in order to attract more airlines flying into the city-state.

The planned fee reduction is timed to coincide with Singapore’s opening next month of a newly completed low-cost terminal at Changi.

However, there has been no clarification of what services are included in the reduction; whether it includes fees for landing, ground service and handling, aircraft parking and other services, and by what percentage the fees might be reduced in each case.

An aviation source said it was Singapore’s latest effort to promote itself as a regional aviation hub, and to get a head start – in terms of arrival numbers – on Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is scheduled to open for commercial services in late June.

The battle for arrival numbers is also being waged in Thailand. A Phuket hotel operator has claimed that some airlines are being forced by the government – against their wishes – to re-route direct services to Phuket via Suvarnabhumi, so they will contribute to the new airport’s arrival numbers.

Phuket hoteliers say there is no need for such flights to land at Bangkok and the diversion will probably mean higher costs. They are concerned at the effect this may have on visitors to Phuket.

Suvarnabhumi will have an initial capacity of 45 million passengers per year. Last year, Don Muang Airport handled about 38 million passengers, and Singapore’s Changi handled about 32 million.

Singapore’s new budget terminal is specifically for low-cost carriers. It covers an area equal to about three football fields and will handle about 10 per cent of Changi Airport’s passenger flights.

Initially it serve about 2.7 million passengers per year, but it is expecting high growth and there is scope for future expansion to accommodate up to 5 million passengers per year.

The decision to build a customised terminal for low-cost flights was made in early 2004 in response to emerging travel trends in the region.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is aiming for 12 billion Singapore dollars (Bt289 billion) in tourism receipts and 9.4 million visitors this year.

Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said the island-state would focus more on nightlife and its newest nightspots to lure tourists, particularly from Asean member countries.

Tourism receipts and visitor arrivals in 2006 are expected to increase by 11 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively, over the S$10.8 billion and 8.94 million visitors in 2005.

The 2006 targets are part of a wider goal to achieve S$30 billion in receipts by 2015.

A discotheque operator from England, Ministry of Sound, is pitching nightlife in Singapore with the claim that it opened a branch in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit district in the late 90s, but it failed to capture the imagination of nightclub fans. Singapore, on the other hand, offers vibrant entertainment and business.

Meanwhile, the STB is expected to launch meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition marketing campaigns next month and will also announce details of casino projects within the first quarter of this year.

In 2005, visitor days spent in Singapore rose by 14 per cent over 2004. The average room cost there grew by 12 per cent to S$136 per night, while the average hotel occupancy rate was 84 per cent, a 3.4-per-cent increase over 2004.

Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[U-Need]

628 words
3 February 2006
Bangkok Post
English

PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP

The new major shareholder of the Oishi group, whisky tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, aims to expand the green tea business by branching out into snacks.

President Tan Passakornnatee said that dried food operations would be completely separate from Oishi's beverage business and could be worth one billion baht in sales in the next two to three years.

"Mr Charoen and I share the same idea, to expand into the snack market because it is huge and lucrative, worth with more than ten billion baht," Mr Tan said.

Its first snack food, Oishi Sen Bei, is a Japanese-style crispy cracker filled with green tea cream. More rice-based snacks and sachets of Oishi green tea will also be included in its product portfolio.

The company expects to make between 300 million and 400 million baht from Oishi Sen Bei sales this year.

It is produced at its factory in the Navanakorn Industrial Estate, which has a production capacity of 2,000 packs per hour.

The food business is expected to be the core of Oishi's revenue in future.

Sales this year are projected at five billion baht, 20% growth from 2005.

Oishi's president and founder Mr Tan, his family and staff sold a total of 103.12 million shares at 32.50 baht apiece to Nakornchuen Co, a company owned by Mr Charoen, and to Bengena International Ltd, owned by Ma Wah Yan, a Hong Kong investor, last month.

The 3.35 billion baht sell-off leaves Mr Tan and his wife with 10% of Oishi shares.

Mr Tan said that by going into partnership with the whisky tycoon, he could use Mr Charoen's resources to export more products overseas.

He aimed to increase the percentage of Oishi green tea exports to 10%, or 500 million baht, over the next few years, from 2-3% at present.

Part of the growth in exports would come from the company's expansion in Australia this year, especially through the country's 7-Eleven stores.

Oishi has been in the Australian market for six months.

"There is huge market potential there. Monthly sales of Oishi green tea now stand at about 300,000 bottles a month despite the company having only one Chinese restaurant as an agent," according to Mr Tan.

The beverage retails in Australia for A$8 (240 baht) per 500ml bottle.

Oishi green tea is distributed to 12 countries including Laos, Cambodia, Germany and Australia with brisk sales in Cambodia and Laos, which consume 50,000 and 30,000 bottles a month, at the equivalent of 28 baht and 24 baht, respectively. The retail price is 20 baht a bottle in Thailand.

In the local market, the company would increase its competitiveness by pooling purchases of raw materials with firms in Mr Charoen's empire.

"We are listing the first top 20 raw materials we bought and moving to pool purchases to reduce our operating cost," said Mr Tan.

"With Mr Charoen's 30 years of experience in operating over 30 diversified factories, he will provide technical support to the factories," he said.

As for the funds from the sale of a 55% stake to Mr Charoen, Mr Tan said one billion baht would go into a principal-protection mutual fund and some would be used to help fund entrepreneurs.

"Before standing at this point, I was confronted with many obstacles particularly with funds. I passed them because I received support from some people. So, its a time for me to give something back," said Mr Tan.

Shares of Oishi closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 31.75 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 4.4 million baht.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 3 February 2006 :-

POLITICAL CRISIS: PM defiant as outrage surges

Senior Thai Rak Thai figures discuss if Thaksin should step down prior to Sondhi rally and who would take over. The calls for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign over the questionable tax-free share deals involving his children grew in intensity yesterday with more academics and activist groups saying he had lost the legitimacy needed to rule.

While 129 academics and representatives of activist and civic groups signed a petition calling for Thaksin’s resignation yesterday, the Confederation for Democracy, lecturers of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science and academics in Khon Kaen province separately issued a similar demand.

Undaunted by the growing chorus of disapproval, Thaksin said he would continue in office regardless of what his critics said since he and his Thai Rak Thai Party had a political mandate stemming from the votes of 19 million people.

“They may have to wait until the next life to see me resign. Let the rules prevail as they are constituted,” he said.

The public uproar over the prime minister’s tax-free sell-out of shares in Shin Corp to a Singapore-government investment arm is likely to be a major boost for an anti-Thaksin rally at the Royal Plaza tomorrow, which was planned prior to this latest controversy.

Media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, who called the rally, is expected to take up the share-transaction scandal as the main subject for his attacks on Thaksin and pressure groups critical of the transactions are likely to join the rally to demonstrate their outrage.

Facing growing pressure, Thai Rak Thai Party leaders discussed solutions yesterday to prevent “political accidents”, including having Thaksin step down prior to the anti-government rally tomorrow, a source said.

An urgent meeting was called at Ban Chan Song La, Thaksin’s residence to analyse the political crisis after growing anti-government sentiment from the Shin Corp sell-off.

At the tense meeting, a person known as one who Thaksin respects suggested that the prime minister resign as a pre-emptive move to stop the rally amid fears it could turn violent. He believed that Sondhi could mobilise a formidable crowd in the capital after two weeks touring the provinces to seek support.

The meeting went into detail about which MPs would be best suited and who Thaksin would trust to take over his job.

However, other top party officials wanted more than just a face-lift, arguing a House dissolution was the only way out. They disagreed over the method of having Thaksin resign, reasoning that it would not end the current conflicts because Thai Rak Thai Party would still be running the country.

“Returning the mandate to the people would be the best solution so Thai Rak Thai Party can come back with legitimacy,” the source said.

Former university minister Suthep Attakorn said yesterday that 129 people, including himself, lecturers, politicians, activists, educators and businesspeople had signed a petition calling for Thaksin’s resignation over the questionable share deals involving his family.

“First, we wanted 99 names but the number has grown. Now we are open for more supporters,” he said, adding more people could write to PO Box 140, Klong Jan, Bangkok.

Those who signed the petition included Nakhon Ratchasima Senator Pichet Pattanachote, former Bangkok MP Chaiwat Sinsuwong and political activist Prasan Maruekhapitak, Suthep said.

The group wanted Thaksin to be ethical and show responsibility by quitting, he said, since under his lead the government had failed to honour the democratic principles of the Constitution and to suppress corruption.

Meanwhile, the Confederation for Democracy issued a statement demanding Thaksin’s resignation over the share transaction scandal.

“The prime minister has entirely lost the legitimacy needed to lead the country and he must resign to save the country’s democracy,” the statement said.

In a related development, at least 18 lecturers from Chulalongkorn’s University’s Faculty of Political Science signed an open letter addressed to Thaksin, calling on him to resign over the share deals and other mistakes made by his government.

“The share transactions totally lack transparency and the prime minister has not served as a good example for the people by doing this,” the letter said.

A group of academics in Khon Kaen province also issued a statement yesterday to demand Thaksin’s resignation, accusing him of being ethically unsuited to run the country.

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US Embassy issues alert

The US Embassy in Bangkok has warned American citizens to stay away from an anti-Thaksin government rally planned for tomorrow in the Royal Plaza because it might become violent. “Police estimate up to 100,000 people will gather in an anti-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin [Shinawatra] demonstration headed by Sondhi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai government critic,” the embassy said.

The rally will include several groups of demonstrators and is expected to assemble in the morning. There has been no announcement as to its start or end and its organisers have not indicated a marching route, the embassy confirmed.

Sondhi, founder of the Manager Media Group, has vowed to lead an anti-Thaksin demonstration starting at about 1pm.

Demonstrations in Bangkok are usually peaceful, but they can be unpredictable.

“There are concerns that anti-Sondhi groups may attempt to confront the demonstrators, which could lead to violence,” the embassy warned.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 3 February 2006 :-

Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong resigns


Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong announced her resignation today from the Cabinet of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, amid growing anti-government sentiment and louder calls for the prime minister himself to step down.

"The current political situation is not conducive and I have to uphold the proper political ethics of good governance,'' she told a news conference.

Many were not surprised at Uraiwan's resignation as there were repeatedly rumours about her possible resignation when her husband, Sanoh, chief advisor of TRT has conflicts with Thaksin.

However her resignation is another blow to Thaksin ahead of a large anti-government rally planned for Saturday.

[U-Need]

443 words
3 February 2006
12:32
Agence France Presse
English

BANGKOK, Feb 3, 2006 (AFP) -

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Friday to keep fighting against calls for his resignation, as a new poll showed public confidence in him slipping ahead of a major protest planned for the weekend.

"I will go on fighting. There were 19 million people who voted for me," a teary-eyed Thaksin told supporters as he visited Bangkok's poorest slum.

A billionaire telecom tycoon, Thaksin swept to power five years ago promising to fight poverty and improve the lives of poor farmers.

His re-election one year ago gave him an absolute majority in parliament and made him the most powerful leader ever elected in Thailand.

But his popularity has suffered in recent months, especially among the urban middle class, amid growing concern about his crackdown on independent media, his failure to quell unrest in the Muslim-majority south, and the latest controversy over the sale of Shin Corp, the telecom giant Thaksin founded.

His family last week sold their nearly 50 percent stake in Shin Corp to Singapore's state-owned investment firm Temasek.

The sale sparked a public outcry after Thaksin's family avoided paying the normal 30-percent capital gains tax. Regulators also have launched an investigation into whether Thaksin's children properly disclosed all the details of the sale.

Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday ruled that his two children had not committed insider trading during the deal, but his son could still face a hefty fine on other charges.

The political furore has given new ammunition to the powerful premier's rivals, who plan a rally expected to draw tens of thousands of people Saturday. The group hopes to petition the king to remove Thaksin from office.

Interior Minister Kongsak Vantana said he feared the rally could turn violent, warning that trouble makers may sow unrest.

"I am concerned for the safety of public. I am afraid of third party interference, and I still think that tens of thousands of demonstrators will attend," he said.

Meanwhile, a new poll released Friday found that public confidence in Thaksin's government has dropped to the lowest point since the survey began 10 months ago.

Public confidence in the administration dipped to 97.6 points in January. Ratings below 100 points indicate public disapproval of the government.

The January 20-31 survey of 7,211 people by Suan Dusit University found that Thais are worried about the Shin Corp sale, allegations of government corruption, and unrest in the Muslim-majority south that has left more than 1,000 dead.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 February 2006 :-

Huge police force to keep eye on rally : Sondhi to reveal his protest plans today

Some 3,000 city police will be deployed to keep law and order at an anti-government rally planned for tomorrow at the Royal Plaza by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul and his allies. Another 10,000 police will also be on stand-by during the demonstration.

Back-up forces from the Crime Suppression Division will be called in if the rally turns violent, police sources said yesterday.

The demonstration is scheduled to kick off at 1pm tomorrow.

Mr Sondhi plans to conclude the rally by submitting a petition to His Majesty the King through chief Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

The petition will call for constitutional amendments and royal intervention to have Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted from office.

Other sources said the rally is expected to be joined by about 50,000 loyal fans of Mr Sondhi's Thailand Weekly talk show, up to 80,000 teachers, farmers from the Northeast, opponents of the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project, followers of revered monk Luangta Maha Bua, opponents of a potash mining venture in Udon Thani, state electricity workers, and many other people.

A source close to Gen Prem said the privy councillor would be at his Si Sao Theves residence tomorrow, but it remained unclear whether he would come out to accept Mr Sondhi's petition to the King.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin has ordered major army units in Bangkok to gather intelligence and put military police and anti-riot teams on stand-by.

However, Gen Sonthi said the military would not take any action unless the situation went out of police control and a state of emergency had to be declared.

A source close to Mr Sondhi said the Manager daily newspaper founder and his key supporters planned to make the demonstration a peaceful one, but they were also ready for any consequences should the government decide to quell the protest by force.

Mr Sondhi will hold a press conference today at Baan Phra Arthit, the Manager headquarters, to talk about the rally.

The source also said many pro-government people were flocking to Bangkok from the North, although government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee had earlier mentioned a government ban on such groups coming to Bangkok for fear they might clash with anti-government demonstrators.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the government to exercise restraint in dealing with the crowds at the rally or the prime minister would have to take responsibility if violence flared up.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said members of some agricultural cooperatives and other farm groups wanted to come to Bangkok to show their moral support for Mr Thaksin, but the ministry had asked them to abandon such plans.

Some agricultural officials said they had been asked to join a sign-up campaign, allegedly initiated by Khunying Sudarat, to show moral support for the prime minister.

Damrong Phidet, head of the National Parks, Plant, and Wildlife Conservation Department, denied news reports that forestry workers have been mobilised to stage an anti-Sondhi rally.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 February 2006 :-

Rally alerts cause concern

By Sujintana Hemtasilpa

Tourism operators had mixed views yesterday about the possible impact of warnings by foreign embassies deterring citizens from travelling to the Royal Plaza on Saturday.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out at a rally to demonstrate growing public resentment against the government and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yesterday, a number of foreign embassies, including the United States Embassy in Bangkok, sent letters to their registered citizens in Thailand warning that violence could break out at the rally, so they should avoid the neighbourhood.

Pornpun Chulanuka, vice-president and general manager of the South Asia branch of Grand Circle Travel, a US-based travel agent, said the warning would certainly have a negative impact on her company's business as the publicity could discourage US tourists from making trips to Thailand.

Since the embassy issued the warning letter, she has not had any cancellations.

Ms Pornpun said that Grand Circle Corporation (Thailand) Co brought in 8,000 US tourists to Thailand last year.

''The warning will certainly affect our business, as citizens of all nations usually trust the information released by their embassies. For them, it's more credible than all kinds of media reports.''

She planned to tell the firm's US headquarters that Thai demonstrators generally protested in a non-violent manner.

Vivatchai Wongsuvat, the vice-president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said he did not think any violence would break out on Saturday.

''There are no conditions that can lead to violence. It's different from the pro-democratic uprisings in the past that aimed to evict authoritarian governments.''

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thai communications authorities have blocked access to a Web page of a U.S. university press promoting a biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, an official said Thursday.

The page on the Web site of the Yale University Press contains a short summary of the book "The King Never Smiles," scheduled to be to be published on May 29.

The book, by American journalist Paul Handley, who reported for several years from Thailand, is the first comprehensive biography in English of the 79-year-old king, the world's longest reigning monarch. The king marks 60 years on the throne this June.

"The Web page has been blocked following a request from the Royal Police Bureau which deems the book is insulting to the king," said Kanawat Wasinsangworn, Assistant Minister of Information and Communication Technology.

Thailand's king is revered by most Thais, and words and behavior considered insulting to the monarchy is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, although the crime has rarely been prosecuted in recent years. In 2002, Thai police halted distribution of The Economist magazine there because it contained an article perceived to be critical of the monarchy.

According to the Royal Thai Police Web site, some 32,467 Web sites have been reported as illicit since censorship of the Internet was launched in April 2002. More than half are categorized as pornographic, and 3,571, or 11 percent as a "Threat to National Security." It does not say how many concern the monarchy.

Prominent sites blocked through the use of filtering software include several sympathetic to a Muslim separatist movement which is currently engaged in an insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces.

[U-Need]

613 words
3 February 2006
Bangkok Post
English

Jessada Tandhasettee

If you aren't a Thai national or an expat who hasn't been residing in Thailand for quite a few years, you won't believe what you are about to read.

I, too, am quite hesitant to talk about this unless it's a personal acquaintance because they'll accuse me of lying.

The following is a list of a few hypocritical idiosyncrasies in Thailand.

Vehicles that are imported to Thailand are homologated in order to attain an exhaust level that has hazardous substances that do not exceed international standards.

Meanwhile, public transport buses are spouting out massive loads of black exhaust, while the authorities concerned do nothing whatsoever to tackle the problem.

And the nation's best (traffic police) can always be seen busy writing up tickets for front passenger who do not buckle up, while pickups loaded with human beings are let go scott free.

However, the primary focus of today's read will be about a "new breed" of illegal vehicles that will spread faster than the H5N1 virus itself.

I don't remember when this illegal form of vehicle began running on the streets of Bangkok. However, when I was young, say about 50 years ago, I remember seeing a three-wheeler which ran on pedals. Two wheels up front and one rear-wheel with brakes.

It used to have traditional red livery and we used to call it samlor daeng or the "red three-wheeler". A few decades later the moniker morphed into saleng.

Loads and braking capabilities were suitable as long as the power source of this saleng was provided by pedaling power of two legs.

But some genius thought it would be better if the rear one-wheel was replaced by a motorcycle's. No more energy wasted trying to pedal up slopes and undulations.

It's illegal and extremely dangerous as well. The rear wheel which is where the brakes are installed will have only the weight of the occupant and engine to rely on when decelerating.

Maximum loads will result in weight force of barely 30% of the entire vehicle on the rear despite locking the brakes.

Deceleration will be very low and this is very dangerous. And what's worse is that these illegal vehicles can attain speeds of up to 100kph or even more depending on the tail section's engine model being fused to the vehicle.

Every country has its fair share of amateur inventors who lack proper training and basic foundations in theory and practise. Therefore, the number of treacherous and inferior products being invented for use never stops. But it usually doesn't reach end-users because it is illegal.

These illegal three-wheelers or saleng cannot run on the streets of Thailand, according to rules and regulations of the Department of Land Transport.

As a matter of fact, the first or any saleng should be arrested or apprehended immediately.

It can't be registered for use on the roads. But why is it that there are several factories specialising in the production of illegal saleng products in Thailand?

Traffic police have a tendency to say: "We don't know what to do with these illegal vehicles who don't have a license."

And eventually the government will adopt a lenient approach with these salengs and probably give them a special license to run on the streets because of the sheer number of them.

I am pleading with the powers that be, for a country that is about to become the "Detroit of Asia", let's get rid of this despicable vehicle called the motorised saleng.

[U-Need]

140 words
3 February 2006

Bangkok Post:

-- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vehemently rejected demands for his resignation from prominent academics Thursday, as more unhappy lecturers signed a petition demanding he step down immediately.

The Nation:

-- The Securities and Exchange Commission Thursday cleared Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's children -- Panthongtae and Pinthongta -- of insider trading in Shin Corp stock, but promised to keep checking if both had broken other securities laws.

Sing Sian Yit Pao

-- Some 3,000 city police will be deployed to keep law and order at an anti-government rally planned for Saturday at the Royal Plaza by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul and his allies. Another 10,000 police will also be on stand-by during the demonstration.