Anything & Everything About Thailand

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534 words
6 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)
English

Like a circus with sideshows, Sondhi Limthongkul's anti-government mass rally at the Royal Plaza had plenty of peripheral events and money-spinning ventures going on. While a good deal of venom was spilling out from the stage, the thousands gathered to express their antagonism towards the Thaksin administration were able to vent their frustrations in a more practical way.

For the more sadistic, there was the distinct pleasure of throwing a dart at photos of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Thai Rak Thai Party spokesman Sita Divari and Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

And for those wishing to clean the soles of their shoes, photos of the prime minister were conveniently placed on the ground. A sign read: "Please step on me, it's free-of-charge". A bargain many found hard to resist.

Through much of yesterday afternoon, critics of the government poured into the Royal Plaza, tossing darts, wiping their feet and roaring anti-Thaksin rhetoric, until their numbers swelled to in excess of 20,000 by late afternoon.

Many did not have yellow shirts, but as with all such events, the entrepreneurial spirit reigned supreme and clothing was in abundance, courtesy of numerous street vendors. The organisers were selling a set consisting of a yellow headband printed with the words "Save the nation" and a small Thai national flag.

Soon the area was a sea of yellow, swaying to the cry of "Thaksin Ok Pai!" ("Thaksin Out!") every 30 minutes as an MC on the stage tried hard to keep the crowd focused.

A businesswoman, Metta Janta, 38, at the rally on her own, said the gathering was lawful and should have been held long ago. She hoped it would wake up the grassroots people and make them aware that Thaksin was not able to run the country.

A Samut Prakan resident, Somsak Hao, 52, and six friends said they intended to stay overnight at the site, seeing the rally through to the end.

"I'm not afraid of what might happen, I'm old and not afraid to die. If I die I want to die because of my love for the country. We want to get rid of a government that cannot solve corruption and even commits the deed itself," Somsak said. The rally also attracted foreigners, despite calls from various embassies for their nationals to avoid the gathering.

A 51-year-old writer, Lennart Nardstrom, said he had been living in Thailand for three years and had never seen Thaksin keep his word, especially on corruption crackdowns. He said he was convinced Thaksin was involved in corruption and that had persuaded him to join the rally.

Meanwhile, the vendors were doing a roaring trade. Plastic-sheet seller Amnuay Kongnawang, 35, said he expected to make up to Bt1,000 on the day by selling a small sheet at Bt5 and a bigger sheet at Bt10 for protesters to sit on.

Drinks vendor Rossarin Nanthavisutkarn said she had sold all her drinks in the first three hours and had to go home for more as the hot weather started to take its toll on the protesters.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

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551 words
6 February 2006
Business Day
English

The petition to His Majesty the King by protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul late Saturday night requesting royal intervention to end a five-year rule of the government could spell the downfall of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The petition said the government had been plagued by widespread corruption, nepotism, parliamentary dictatorship, religious strife and abuses of power of an unprecedented scale in the political history of Thailand.

The petition was submitted to Privy Council chairman and statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda at 10 p.m. on Saturday at his official residence amid a rally by almost 100,000 people, mostly disgruntled middle class, teachers and workers.

The rally led by Sondhi, senators and leading academics shouted repeatedly “Thaksin out” throughtout a day-long protest which ended on Sunday morning. The rally leaders called for the protestors to return next Saturday to press for Thaksin’s resignation.

Throughout his speeches to the angry protestors, Sondhi called for Thaksin’s ouster as well as confiscation of his family’s fortune. Thaksin and his family on January 23 sold their majority interest in Shin Corp. to Singapore-government’s investment arm Temasek Holdings for 73 billion baht without paying billions of baht of income taxes. Critics said Thaksin owes as much as 16 billion baht worth of income taxes from the share sale due to his complicated transfers of shares to his two children. Thaksin explained in his weekly radio address the transaction was done on the SET and therefore tax-exempt.

He went on to say that he will resign “only if His Majesty the King whispers to him to quit.” His remark also drew widespread criticisms for what seems to most Thais as “a disrespectful reference to His Majesty the King.” The announced resignation of Cultural Affairs Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Information and Technology Minister Sora-art Klinpratoom, both citing the prime minister’s lack of political ethics over the 73-billion baht Shin-Temasek deal, lead to the conclusion that Thaksin may be forced to either resign and make way for his chosen deputy in Thai Rak Thai Party to assume the premiership to defuse tension.

Rumours also abound that two other key members of the Cabinet, Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng and Labour Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, may step down to force Thaksin to quit or reshuffle his Cabinet.

His second option is to dissolve Parliament and call for a snap general election of the Lower House.

Whatever he decides, the protestors who will return on February 11 are likely to continue to press for his impeachment and investigations against his alleged misconducts during his five-year premiership.

Prime Minister Thaksin has made it clear that he won’t resign, nor dissolve the House of Representatives and call for a new general election.

Meanwhile, Sondhi had said during the rally Saturday night that Prime Minister Thaksin would dissolve the House of Representatives this week. If so, he said he would call for an amendment to the Constitution before a new general election is held.

Thaksin who spent the weekend in his hometown of Chiang Mai may be concerned not only about both his uncertain political future but also the 73 billion baht amount still deposited in several local banks which could be in jeopardy if he is suddenly ousted.

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CHIANG MAI, Feb 6 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-06 / 10:07:45 (GMT+7:00)

Northern Thailand is expected to welcome more tourists, both Thais and foreigners, thanks to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s initiative to organize tourism promotion roadshows, both domesitcally and internationally.

Director of TAT Northern Office, Region 1, Chunapong Saranak told journalists on Sunday that TAT would organize the roadshows in Scandinavian countries and Japan--Thailand's major tourist markets overseas--later this year.

The roadshow in the Swedish capital of Stockholm will be held in May, while the event in Japan will be organized in September, according to Mr. Chunapong.

"A number of tourists from Scandinavian countries visit nothern Thailand each year. So do Japanese tourists, with the number now rising by around 11 per cent annually," he noted.

TAT would also organize roadshows in potential areas in the countries, including Pattaya, Chonburi and Rayong in the East, where several industrial plants are located and domestic tours normally organized to boost employees' morale and sound relations among them. (TNA)--E002

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 6 February 2006 :-

Elevated train network plan in Chiangmai over 5 years

By Sirikul Bunnag

Chiang Mai - Work is underway on a mass transit master plan that should lead to a network of above-ground electric rail lines here in five years.

The Chiang Mai municipality and the Transport Ministry have hired the engineering faculty at Chiang Mai University for 48 million baht to draft the master plan by October, with the aim of relieving traffic congestion in the heart of the municipality for the long term.

Chiang Mai mayor Boonlert Buranupakorn said that when the plan was finished, he would ask the government to pay seven billion baht to make it happen.

"Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says the government wants to spend seven billion baht on a modern mass transit system for the urban area of Chiang Mai. He would like to see a monorail system, if possible," he said.

Chiang Mai, Mr Thaksin's home province, has 1.6 million people and one million vehicles, 700,000 of which are motorcycles, according to Mr Boonlert.

The study will look into the possibility of elevated monorail trains, subways, buses on dedicated lanes, and above-ground trams or electric trains.

The network should cover important sites, including the Night Safari Park, the horticultural centre, Chiang Mai airport, the inner city of Chiang Mai, its international convention centre, centre for the promotion of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and Mae Rim, San Kamphaeng and San Sai districts.

Mr Boonlert said he would like the government to pay for all the infrastructure needed for the mass transit system and the municipality would decide whether it would run the system by itself or let a concessionaire handle the work.

Assoc Prof Rangsan Udomsri, a civil engineering lecturer at Chiang Mai University who is responsible for the study, said initial studies found that the mass transit system could not be too large because it was likely to serve only about 300,000 passengers a day, and traffic space in the inner area of Chiang Mai was small.

He said an elevated monorail system would probably run into opposition from conservationists. A subway system was too expensive and would affect Chiang Mai's old moat and buried ancient objects.

The best option was an above-ground mass transit network that should cost only about 100 million baht per kilometre, and the seven-billion-baht budget should be enough to build a city-wide network.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 6 February 2006 :-

Siam Winery looks to harvest tourists] : Wine school will also help broaden market

By Sujintana Hemtasilpa

Siam Winery, one of the country's leading wine producers, is turning one of its three vineyards into an eco-tourism destination to stimulate demand for the company's wine.

The Thai wine market is still quite small, according to Kim Wachtveitl, director of business development at Siam Winery Trading Plus Co. He estimates Thai winemakers produce between 800,000 and 900,000 bottles a year, and not all of them are sold.

At the same time, Customs Department statistics show that Thailand imports between 12 million and 14 million litres of foreign wine each year.

The visitor centre, planned for the company's Khork Chang Vineyard in Hua Hin, and the wine school are expected to help increase domestic demand for Thai-made wine.

According to Mr Wachtveitl, Siam Winery sold 305,000 out of the 350,000 bottles of Chatemp and Monsoon Valley wines it produced last year. It exports 80% and distributes the rest locally through luxury hotels, restaurants and retail stores.

The company runs three vineyards: the Floating Vineyards, located 40 kilometres southwest of Bangkok between the Tha Chin and Mae Klong rivers; Pak Chong Hills in Nakhon Ratchasima; and Khork Chang in Hua Hin.

The company began developing Khork Chang in 2004. At present, 150 out of the 1,000 rai set aside for the vineyard have been developed. It plans to develop at a rate of 90 rai a year, said Mr Wachtveitl.

The visitor centre, with a restaurant and a winery building, is expected to open by the end of 2007.

Once the centre is operational, Mr Wachtveitl expects the company's domestic sales to double from 70,000 bottles in 2007 to 140,000 bottles in 2008.

For the wine school, the company is in talks with prospective partners from the United Kingdom who specialise in wine appreciation training.

Advertising its wine as the best choice to accompany Thai food, Monsoon Valley has made its way into five-star hotels such as The Oriental and Four Seasons, as well as in deluxe restaurants such as the Blue Elephant.

Siam Winery accounted for 85% of all Thai wine served in luxury hotels and restaurants in the country, he said.

Overseas, Siam Winery distributes its wine through about 700 Thai restaurants. Next year, it plans to increase the total by 800, of which 500 would be Thai and the rest non-Thai. It now exports to 12 countries, including the United Kingdom which is a key market.

To expand its customer base, the company has also changed its point-of-sale slogan for Monsoon Valley wine from "The Wine for Thai food" to "The Wine for Spicy Food" to attract other Asian food caterers besides Thai restaurants.

"Indian and Vietnamese restaurants are keen to order our wine. But in the past they've been reluctant to do so because our tagline was 'The Wine for Thai Food'," Mr Wachtveitl said.

The company expects this year's domestic sales to increase by 33% and exports to grow by 22%.

Local retail prices of Siam Winery products range from 365 to 430 baht a bottle.

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433 words
7 February 2006
English

BANGKOK POST:

- The president of Egat Plc yesterday reiterated that foreigners would not be able to take control of the state-owned power utility because of a cabinet ruling placing the government's holdings at no less than 75 per cent.

- Though the seven-billion-baht green tea market may have appeared attractive and lucrative for investors, it has actually become a battlefield where only the tough and lucky survive.

- Local stocks dropped by 0.4 per cent yesterday as investors continued to worry about political uncertainties.The Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed at 744.12 points, down 2.97 from Friday, in trade worth 16.9 billion baht.

- The Government Pension Fund, the country's largest institutional investor, reported 2005 returns of 6.67 per cent, helped by the strong performance of its equity investments, according to secretary-general Visit Tantisunthorn.

- The success of the country's largest developer, Land & Houses Plc (LH), is not all about its 20-year-plus strong brand, its pre-build development initiative or its chief executive's vision.

- Thailand Securities Depository Co (TSD), a subsidiary of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, will launch a private bond repurchase and securities borrowing and lending service in May after receiving a transfer of government bonds in the system.

THE NATION:

- The stock market took a wild ride yesterday, posting a slight gain in the morning before swinging into negative territory in the afternoon and then closing only a tad down, reflecting investors anxiety over the current political situation.

- The Temasek Holdings-Shin Corp deal might have cost Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra political clout, but it carries several virtues, especially to businessmen who have been given a free lesson on tax planning.

- Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric project in Laos, which will provide Thailand with a major source of energy, might have to shoulder environmental and social costs as high as US$100 million (Bt3.9 billion), or 10 per cent of the projects total value, according to a source close to the project.

- Golfing sensation Tiger Woods has refused to act as Thailand's representative as proposed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which is campaigning to encourage more visitors to the Kingdom, its executives said yesterday.

- Tight liquidity, the likely cancellation of deposit guarantees, strong competition from existing players and more free-trade agreements will make the operating environment for small banks more difficult, and the option of merging or acquiring with another institution more interesting, Phatra Securities Plc said.

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153 words
7 February 2006
English


Bangkok Post:

-- The resignation of Chai-anan Samudavanija as president of Egat Plc on Monday tightened the screws on beleaguered Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with anti-privatization groups promptly calling on cabinet ministers to join them in forcing Thaksin from office.

The Nation:

-- Thai Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee on Monday asked media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul to wait for a decision of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej on a petition he has filed against Thaksin before holding more rallies.

Sing Siam Yet Pao

-- Suspected insurgents shot dead two policemen and one defense volunteer at a market in Thailand's southern border province of Yala on Monday, while more than 130 schools in the province closed this week after three teachers were wounded in a gun attack on last Friday.

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BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-02-07 / 08:03:25 (GMT+7:00)

The Thai economy will continue to expand in the globalization era although there is a spate of anti-government protests, according to veteran banker and property developer.

Speaking at a seminar here on “Thailand’s Vision,” Kosit Panpiemras, Executive Chairman of Bangkok Bank, said on Monday that Thailand had evolved and entered in the globalization age.

In this era, the country could benefit most in terms of marketing and at the same time expose itself to negative repercussions.

So, what the country needs to do is to look after itself as much as possible.

On a mass rally recently aimed at ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said the incident remained not worrying because demonstrators gathered peacefully.

He believed should there be a change in the government in the future, it would not affect the country’s economic conditions in case it processed peacefully.

Mr. Kosit said he was confident the incident would not affect investors' confidence and investment decisions, either.

Anant Ussawapokin, President and CEO of Land and Houses Public Company Limited, said he believed the Thai economy would continue to grow satisfactorily although the country had already entered into the globalization era.

In the era, the country must be independent in implementing the financial policy and the trade liberalization must proceed with a just manner.

He viewed the spate of protests at current would not significantly affect the overall economy because the Thai economy relies mainly on exports and local investment.

However, it might undermine consumers' confidence in spending.

Should there be a leader change, the Thai economy might experience a standstill, he cautioned. (TNA) – E005

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252 words
7 February 2006
09:23
English


TOP STORIES

- The resignation of Chai-anan Samudavanija as president of Egat plc tightened the screws on beleaguered Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with anti-privatisation groups calling on cabinet ministers to join them in forcing him from office (BANGKOK POST)

- Leading critics and academics warned Singapore to stop Temasek's purchase of Shin Corp, otherwise it would face the wrath of the people of Thailand (THE NATION)

- Thaksin has banned the use of the Royal Plaza for the next anti-government rally planned by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul for Saturday (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- Thai Beverage should be allowed to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand to help boost the country's economy, according to a member of the National Economic and Social Advisory Board (BANGKOK POST)

- The Temasek-Shin Corp deal might have cost Thaksin political clout, but it carries several virtues, especially to businessmen who have been given a free lesson on tax planning (THE NATION)

- The recovery of the tourism sector and high rubber prices are the key factors supporting economic growth in the south, the Bank of Thailand reported (THE NATION)

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335 words
7 February 2006
Straits Times
English

BANGKOK - A GROUP of academics yesterday warned that there was a risk of public opinion in Thailand turning against Singapore regarding the Shin Corp-Temasek Holdings deal.

In a discussion at Chulalongkorn University, Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak said: 'Temasek is not an ordinary company, it is owned by a foreign government. This has implications for the Singapore government...Shin Corp is seen here as tainted assets; in due diligence it is surprising that Temasek did not consider the fallout.'

He said Temasek and the Singapore government had become unintended players in Thai politics.

'Temasek needs to clarify its plans and intentions, especially regarding Shin Sat and its applications, and iTV's editorial stance and management' he said.

Shin Sat and iTV are part of Shin Corp's non-core assets. Temasek has declined to say whether it will divest stakes in these businesses.

Shin Sat operates satellite frequencies given to Thailand by the International Telecommunications Union, making it a Thai asset that is now owned by the Singapore government, Prof Thitinan said.

Broadcaster iTV has a long history in Thailand and there are now concerns about foreign interference in local broadcasts.

Senior law professor Suchit Bunbongkarn said: 'The public is convinced that Singapore thinks only of its own interests.'

He added, however, that it is difficult to say whether this negative attitude towards Singapore will be short-lived or will continue.

Professor Suchit was among seven Constitutional Court judges who in 2001 voted against Mr Thaksin in a case in which the premier was accused of misdeclaring his assets. Mr Thaksin won by one vote.

Singapore's embassy on Sathon Road in Bangkok's business district was the target of a small demonstration last week.

And some xenophobic commentaries against Singapore have begun appearing in the Thai media and on radio shows. A column in the Thai-language Kom Chad Luek paper this week accused Mr Thaksin of behaving like a representative of the Singapore government.

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142 words
7 February 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: General News - His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej on February 3, 2006 stated that harmony will allow the whole community to be sustained.

Yesterday, His Majesty the King told a delegation of judges paying a visit to him at Klaikangwon Palace in Hua Hin that strength was important. His Majesty said that if the people in the country are strong, then there would be no problem. His Majesty said that the whole can be sustained if everyone try to maintain harmony. His Majesty said that judges have the duty to maintain harmony, and they must remain strong if anyone attempt to create disputes.

Lastly, His Majesty said he leaves the justice in and the prosperity of the country with the delegates, noting that their jobs are not easy.

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640 words
7 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)
English

To topple a prime minister who claims the backing of 19 million voters surely requires more than 100,000 people chanting emotionally for his ouster for a day. But opponents of Thaksin Shinawatra will take heart in the fact that his once-impregnable fortress has been seriously breached.

Unlike the October 14, 1973 pro-democracy uprising and another bloody "People's Power" rebellion in May 1992, the 100,000 demonstrators rallying at the Royal Plaza on Saturday were up against an elected prime minister with an overwhelming popular mandate.

Before General Suchinda Krap-rayoon was knocked out with one punch in 1992, he had alienated all key sectors of society, including the middle class, politicians and academics, while the grass roots could not have cared less about his fate.

Everyone's efforts to avoid bloodshed also helped Thaksin.

Calls from many respectable figures for extreme restraint played a big role in the peaceful manner of Saturday's gathering, the biggest since the anti-Suchinda campaign. Considering the size of the crowd, a single gunshot could have triggered widespread violence and unpredictable upheaval.

All this means the anti-Thaksin movement must take its campaign to a new level. Thaksin is like a great heavyweight champion who has to be softened up by various blows rather than put away with one devastating wild swing.

The crowd needs to be doubled in size next time, a difficult but not impossible aim. Yet apart from the Royal Plaza, attacks must come from other corners if his opponents are to have a realistic shot at the title.

Which is what they apparently are trying to do.

The executive branch has just been rocked by two Cabinet resignations. Along the parliamentary front, an impeachment process has been kicked-started by a small group of senators, although there is still a long way to go.

Factional trouble in the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party is also brewing.

The NGOs, who have been Sondhi Limthongkul's sympathetic spectators at best, are pondering lending him full-scale support, ostensibly on condition that the media tycoon tone down his arrogance and stop calling anti-Thaksin protesters "my people".

Thaksin now faces a looming lame-duck situation - not only because Saturday's rally underlines sizeable popular resentment, but also because the controversial Shin Corp takeover deal has sown his political path with powerful landmines.

If the Constitution Court is to rule on Ample Rich Investments again, public pressure will ensure that Thaksin will not get a friendly verdict as in 2001.

If the judges have to decide again if Thaksin intentionally "concealed" his assets, they will be fed with fresh evidence. The court will have to consider the fact that the Shinawatras managed to sell their telecom empire to Singapore's Temasek Holdings at a staggering Bt73 billion without having to pay any taxes thanks largely to the existence of Ample Rich.

The Administrative Court could also be drawn into the battle as the Shin Corp takeover has serious implications for key national assets and resources.

State agencies that have been vehemently defending the Shin Corp deal - like the Revenues Department and the Stock Exchange of Thailand - will have to brace themselves for cases that would label them with a charge of double standards.

Complaints can also go to the Administrative Court and those said agencies' staunch defence of Thaksin could come back to bite them hard.

All these developments will hamper the government's work and chip away at Thaksin's already thinning legitimacy. It seems he is protected only by his strong mandate in Parliament while other foundations are crumbling around him.

The momentum of Saturday's rally is countered only by the issue of the 19 million votes. That, while sounding relevant today, is barely just.

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310 words
7 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)
English

A huge development budget for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's home province Chiang Mai, along with seven other northern provinces, is expected to be approved tomorrow by the mobile Cabinet meeting being held in the northern city.

The budget is expected to include Bt13 billion for 36 flood-prevention projects, which was requested by Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop. The projects will be implemented this year to deal with the problems caused by repeat flooding in Chiang Mai and neighbouring provinces during the wet season. They are expected to be completed by 2009.

Most of the projects, which will also be implemented in Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan provinces, will focus on economic development by developing trade and investment as well as preserving the indigenous Lanna culture.

The first project to be carried out immediately using the 2006 budget is the Bt27-million preservation of the historic Wieng Lor site in Chiang Mai. The scheme will require a further Bt32 million that will have to be taken from the budgets for 2007 and 2008.

Another 13 projects will also be implemented using Bt879 million of the 2007 budget and another Bt1.16 billion of the 2008 budget. These include Bt120 million for a new road running parallel to the railway between Chiang Mai and Lamphun, and the improvement of Mae Hong Son airport at a cost of Bt262 million.

There are 23 further high-profile projects with an estimated total cost of about Bt4.88 billion, which still require technical research. One is the expansion of a road network linking Lao, Vietnam, China and Thailand.

Chiang Mai alone is likely to win approval for a large number of projects that concern education and cultural preservation, including the building of a new learning centre.

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391 words
7 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)
English

A Nok Air Boeing 737 skidded off a runway at Don Muang airport yesterday after being forced to make an emergency landing due to an engine problem.

Eight of its 110 passengers sustained minor injuries.

The injured passengers, including one Western woman, sprained their ankles while exiting from the aircraft after the landing. Although most used the emergency exits as instructed by the flight crew, some of them jumped from the aircraft's wing in panic. No official statement about the injuries was released by Thai Airways, the parent company of the budget airline.

Somchainuek Engtrakul, acting managing director of the national flag carrier, had initially said that none of the passengers had been injured.

One passenger said that flight DD 7506 from Bangkok to Phuket had been delayed for an hour without explanation from either Thai Airways or the Airports of Thailand before finally taking off at 2.20pm.

Jitsak Limpakornkul said the aircraft's starboard engine exploded and was engulfed in flame just five minutes after take-off.

The plane circled Don Muang Airport for 10 minutes before landing, he said, adding that black smoke was billowing from the starboard side of the fuselage as passengers were being evacuated.

Therdphong Phakphiankul, another passenger, said he was impressed with the pilot in making a safe landing and the decision to avoid possible panic among passengers by not informing them of the problem prior to the landing.

However, he said a lot of passengers later became upset because of the slow transfer to another flight so they could continue their onward journey.

"We were kept in a processing room for two hours without explanation or even drinking water," he said.

"Those who wanted a refund on their tickets had to queue up to do the paperwork, and will now have to wait another 15 days to get the money back."

A spokeswoman for the Airports of Thailand, which operates the country's airports, confirmed that the aircraft had skidded off the runway.

"The Nok Air flight from Bangkok to Phuket sought an emergency landing at Bangkok International Airport because its right engine had developed a problem," another airport security official said.

"No one was injured during the landing," he said, adding that smoke from the engine was extinguished as the passengers were evacuated.

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196 words
7 February 2006
Chosun Ilbo
English

Traditional Thai massage has become an unlikely point of contention in Korea's free-trade talks with ASEAN. As a free-trade agreement would cover services as well as goods, the Thai government is asking Korea to permit the establishment of Thai massage parlors in Korea, with the concomitant permission for Thais to set up such businesses here.

The ventures would be assured of success as many Koreans have already experienced the benefits of Thai massage on trips to the popular holiday destination.

But under the Medical Services Law, massage and acupressure therapy are open only to the blind in Korea. If the government accepts the Thai request, it would face a barrage of protests from the vision-impaired.

Since Thailand is a leader of the 10-member Southeast Asian bloc, the Korean government will find it difficult to refuse, particularly since Bangkok alone has declined to sign the basic agreement on commodities reached with ASEAN last December, saying it does not stand to benefit.

The result is a headache to the government from a practice popular around the world for soothing aches and pains.