Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Real war has just begun - Part 2

While Thaksin is facing trouble outside Parliament, he has ensured that parliamentary means are unlikely to undermine his leadership as his party’s control clearly looms large over the House and the Senate.

With 374 of 500 seats, Thaksin can hold the House hostage, as any attempts to censure him for wrongdoings would be impossible. The no-confidence vote on the prime minister requires the support of 200 MPs. Beyond the Lower House, Thaksin can ensure that the Upper House as a checking mechanism, is still as friendly to him as it has been during his five years in power through the allegedly pro-government senators.

A bombshell was thrown on to the Senate floor yesterday with claims and some admissions that about 60 of the 200 senators were on the payrolls of politicians in or with links to the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party.

The admission came to the surface in connection with the debate on how to rectify the list of nine National Counter Corruption Commission nominees.

Following an hours-long confidential debate on why the NCCC list was sent back for review by the Royal Palace, the session resumed as an open debate on the list rectification. Senator Pichet Patanachote dropped a political bombshell, saying that many of those in the majority vote were obliged to vote for the flawed list in November because they received monetary subsidies from government politicians. “I heard this from Deputy Senate Speaker Niphon Visityuthasart,” he said.

To clarify the matter, Niphon said he had talked about senators being on the payroll of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai and Thai Rath senior editor Manit Sooksomjit on Thammasat University Day. “Chuan and Manit asked me if I knew about the payrolls and Senator Surachai Tangdanaitrakul happened to pass by and answer for me,” he said.

Surachai said in turn that he had replied that certain senators were on these payrolls. “I am not certain that the numbers would be as high as 60,” he said. Senator Anukul Supachaikij said he heard each senator received Bt50,000 to Bt100,000 per month. His colleague Pinya Chuayplod said he had been paid in the past but no longer was.

It seems the turmoil in the political scene will only grow. Despite Thaksin’s utmost attempts to show the public that everything is under control, the war is far from over. And it’s hard to predict right now who, when it comes down to it, will be left standing.

Political Desk
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Drive spreads to 5 universities
Teachers, students urge PM to quit, citing abuse of power
Lecturers and students from five universities yesterday stepped up pressure on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign, citing alleged abuse of authority and malfeasance.

The five universities are Thammasat, Ramkhamhaeng, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Silapakorn and Chulalongkorn. Their moves come a day before Sondhi Limthongkul stages a further gathering tomorrow to try to oust Thaksin.

Thammasat University Student Union (TUSU) president Thanachai Sunthornanantacha said Thaksin lacked legitimacy to run the country because of rampant abuse of power and nepotism in his administration. He cited the law change to allow foreign investors to hold shares in the telecom sector.

TUSU representatives will meet the Senate Speaker today about launching an impeachment against Thaksin, which requires a petition signed by 50,000 people. Thanachai said his group preferred to help oust Thaksin via the legal process.

Chulalongkorn lecturer Chaiyan Chaiyaporn said deans of political science from five universities would brainstorm at Thammasat next week on the move to oust Thaksin.

At Silpakorn University, a group of 77 lecturers yesterday signed a statement demanding the prime minister step down. They said Thaksin has abused the principles of the Constitution and the people’s spirit [written in the charter].

They accused him of abusing power by exploiting laws to support his family and business network, destroying press freedom and disrupting independent bodies’ work.

“The latest case is the tax-free Bt70-billion share transaction that showed a lack of good spirit by the leader. Therefore, we have no other alternative but to demand you [Thaksin] resign”, they said.

At Ramkhamhaeng University, 10 lecturers signed a notice demanding Thaksin’s resignation, saying he lacked morality and integrity and was leading the country to ruin. They said Thaksin’s government’s policies created wealth for the leader, his family and friends.

At NIDA, 500 students and lecturers put their signatures to a call for Thaksin to go, following the controversial Shin Corp sale to Singapore-based Temasek.

Assoc Prof Thaweesak Suthakwathin said Thaksin had violated the Constitution by tampering with the checks-and-balance mechanisms in independent agencies and using the wrong methods to handle the crisis in the South, which had led to heavy loss of life and national resources.

Thaweesak said students attacked Thaksin for his lack of ethics over the Shin Corp sell-off despite claims it was legal. Thaksin had also violated the public’s right to know about the furore by blocking media reports on the anti-Thaksin movement, he said.

Kornchanok Raksaseri &
Puangchompoo Prasert
The Nation

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268 words
13 February 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: General News - Representatives of the Chinese Red Cross February 7 presented a Bt120-million donation to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in her capacity as Thai Red Cross Society vice chairwoman, The Nation reports.

The Bt120 million will be spent on rehabilitation projects for tsunami victims in Phang Nga province, including the construction of 40 houses, a child development centre, and the renovation of schools and hospitals.

The Chinese Red Cross plans further collaboration with its Thai counterpart, including research and supplies of blood and stem cells.

President Peng Peiyun and vice president Jiang Yiman led a group of 20 Chinese Red Cross officials at February 7's seminar entitled Building Hope for the Better Tomorrow - The Red Cross Society for Humanitarian.

Held at Kasikornbank's headquarters, it was presided over by the Princess. Some 100 Chinese and 400 Thai businesspeople participated alongside members of the general public.

The Princess said the Red Cross Society is aimed at helping anyone in need regardless of nationality and religion. [This] seminar is very useful and can create efficiency and collaboration between the two countries' organisations, she said.

The event was also held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations.

Phan Wannamethee, secretary-general of the Thai Red Cross Society, said the two organisations would collaborate closely. We will support each other, he said. On the operational level, we will exchange experience on disaster preparedness and responses.

Collaboration will include technical and strategic support in blood donations and epidemic prevention, including preventing HIV/Aids.

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646 words
10 February 2006
Asia Pulse
English

BANGKOK, Feb 10 Asia Pulse - The Thai economy has steadily revived and social disparity has been reduced over the past five years, leading to strong economic fundamentals at the moment, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said here on Thursday.

Addressing members of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) in a special lecture, entitled "Cooperation Between the Government and the NESAC", the prime minister noted that a remarkable change had been seen in the Thai economy and society over the past five years.

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) has increased to Bt7.1 trillion (US$178 billion), from Bt4. 9 trillion previously or about 49 per cent; while per capita income has risen to Bt109,700 annually, from Bt79,100, with that of farmer jumping to Bt52,320 annually from Bt32,120, according to Mr. Thaksin.

The country's foreign exchange reserves have surged to US$53.37 billion from US$32.60 billion in the past five years; while the total public debt has dropped to 45. 9 per cent of the GDP from 57 per cent.

Total non performing loans (NPLs) has plunged to 8. 2 per cent of the GDP, from 17. 8 per cent previously; while the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)'s index has surged to around 747 points now, from 297 points in the past five years, with total market turnover reaching Bt5.37 trillion currently, from Bt1.57 trillion.

Thailand is turning to become a creditor nation, from a debtor nation for decades, noted the Thai leader.

Thailand's unemployment rate has dropped to only 1.8 per cent of the total workforce, meaning that the country's is now approaching a full employment level, as demand for labour, particularly in the private sector, has risen to meet higher production in various sectors.

The gap between the rich and the poor in the country has been reduced, as incomes of the poor and those in the middle clase have been increase to 6.4 and 45. 2 per cent of the GDP respectively, from 4. 2 and 38. 3 per cent in the past five years; while those of the rich have fallen to 48.7 per cent of the GDP, from 57.8 per cent previously.

The country's poverty line has edged up to Bt1.243 per head per month, from Bt1. 135 per head per month previously, showing that average income of the poor has increased.

People whose monthly incomes are lower than a country's poverty line is called the poor.

Mr. Thaksin said, however, that there are still about 7. 5 million impoverish people in Thailand, adding that the government is seriously addressing the poverty problem.

The Thai leader noted that the government's policy direction over the next three years would focus on both economic and social dimensions.

For the social dimension, the government will further pursue educational reform, equipping Thai youths with advanced information technology (IT) which could be widely applied in their professional areas.

For the economic dimension, the government will focus on infrastructure development through mega projects, including mass rail transit systems, integrated water management and improved universal healthcare system.

The special lecture represented the prime minister's informal report to the public on his administration's performance over the past five years and the policy direction over the remaining three years in his second four-year term.

The prime minister is to formally report the government's performance and policy direction to the House of Representatives annually.

Mr. Thaksin said he would invite the NESAC members, who are elites from various sectors in the society, for a brainstorming forum at the Government House in the second half of this year, promising them that the government would extend financial support to their field surveys and studies on national developemnt projects.

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BANGKOK, Feb 9 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-10 / 16:00:08 (GMT+7:00)

Embattled by internal rifts, corruption and expensive oil, most Thais say they are unsure if their government will survive its second term, despite the resounding vote of confidence it
received when it was re-elected a year ago, according to an opinion poll published here Thursday.

The Suan Dusit Poll conducted during the first nine days of February among 3,101 Thais nationwide to measure their opinions towards the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- which entered the second year of its second term Friday -- indicated that public confidence has fallen significantly..

Early last year Mr. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party cemented its victory in general elections and opened the door wide for the government's second term -- which would normally last 4 years.

But now, one year on, most voters say they are not confident the government would make it through the balance of the term as its image has been tarnished by corruption, rifts among party members, and the
highest oil prices in history.

The pollsters said that the survey included nearly 600 persons from Bangkok who said they have been unhappy with the government's performance, while voters upcountry preferred its first term when the
administration had completed the payback of the kingdom's International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt payments, set up its 30-baht health care scheme, and successfully fought a war on drugs.

However, most Bangkokians in the survey said they admired the administration for its bold decisions, efficiency, and new projects but warned that internal rifts among party members could hinder its
performance, especially when the prime minister has so far failed to solve them.

They said the unabated southern unrest could also undermine the government as it has unsuccessfully quelled the violence.

The survey said voters outside of Bangkok took pride in the prime minister's high visability internationally and that the country has become well-accepted among international investors, which they believed has contributed to the country's prosperity, but respondents were dismayed at the administration's apparent lack of transparency, and corruption.

Rising social conflicts are also a cause of their concern as the country has seen more anti-government protests in recent months. (TNA)-E110

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TRAT, Feb 10 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-10 / 15:35:45 (GMT+7:00)A ferry carrying about 30 passengers capsized off Thailand's eastern seaside Trat Province Friday morning, killing two passengers, while nearly 20 others have already been rescued.

The incident took place along the boat's journey
from Ban Dan Kao in Muang District to Koh Krud.

A local rescue team rushing to the scene has reportedly saved nearly 20 lives so far.

But unfortunately, two passengers were found dead from drowning. They have yet been identified.

The rest of the passengers are still missing.

The boat's overload was initially found to be the cause of the tragedy. (TNA)--E002

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223 words
10 February 2006
22:13
Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies
English

MAE HONG SON, Feb 10 (TNA) - Thailand's northern economy, tourism, border trade and investment will all benefit from a new direct highway linking the northern city of Chiang Mai with neighbouring Mae Hong Son Province. The new inter-province route, named Mae Hong Son-Samerng-Chiang Mai, will be the kingdom's first road to include a mountain tunnel, according to Mae Hong Son Governor Direk Konklib. A feasibility study is being conducted on the new inter-provincial roadway project, according to Governor, who said the new road was approved in principle by the cabinet when it met in Chiang Mai earlier this week. "Travelling by bus or car between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son now takes up to 7 or 8 hours on winding roads," Governor Direk said. "If the Mae Hong Son-Samerng-Chiang Mai route is built," he said, "it will greatly boost the local economy and tourism in the North, as well as investment and border trade with Myanmar.

"Mae Hong Son is only 280 kilometres from Pyinmana," Governor Direk told journalists, referring to the new Myanmar capital. "The new road link will improve Mae Hong Son as a more liveable province in the North with many attractive tourist sites," the governor added. (TNA)-E002

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BANGKOK, Feb 10 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-02-10 / 14:39:25 (GMT+7:00)

Negotiations for the establishment of a free trade area (FTA) between Thailand and Japan has been already finalized with prime ministers of both countries expected to sign a joint declaration for cooperation in early April, according to a chief negotiator.

Pisal Manapat, head of the Thai-Japanese FTA negotiation team, revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak would sign a cooperation agreement between the Thailand's Commerce Ministry and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on April 3 for the development of Thai industries, including automobile, electronics, clothing, alternative energy and food.

Upon declaration of the cooperation under the FTA agreement, the Japanese government will submit the cooperation framework to the House of Representatives for reading.

The reading is expected to take around 2-3 months and the agreement is likely to be enforced in October.

“We want to affirm that Thailand is not put at disadvantage with Japan under the FTA agreement because no amendments to laws for reduction of tariffs on each group of product items have been made. Although there is no framework of the FTA agreement, Thailand is required to cut tariffs under the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement,” he said.

On concerns that tariffs on products in the steel industry would be cut to zero under the Thai-Japanese FTA agreement, he said the process would take at least 11 years.

So, he believed operators in the local industry would be able to adjust themselves to the changing environment.

Mr. Pisal said Japanese people had consumed Thai rice in larger volume. Last year, exports of Thai rice to Japan reached 130,000 tons.

To catch up with the trend, state agencies concerned have planned to promote the consumption of Thai rice on the Japanese market through around 400-500 Thai restaurants in Japan. (TNA) – E005

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ASK
164 words
10 February 2006
13:17
Agence France Presse
English

BANGKOK, Feb 10, 2006 (AFP) -

A stressed-out security guard opened fire on a woman who jumped the queue at a branch of Thailand's largest bank, police said Friday.

The 33-year-old guard was charged with attempted murder for shooting a university student Thursday after a quarrel that erupted when a queue-ticketing machine broke down.

A Bangkok Bank employee was also injured when a second bullet ricocheted and hit her left leg, a police captain said.

The guard, Thong-arn Nalard, quarreled with the woman after telling her to get in the queue with other customers. He said she hit him in the back after he accidentally brushed her arm, escalating the dispute. Then he opened fire.

"After interrogating the witnesses and the suspect, and based on his work track record, we believe that he was under stress," the captain said.

The victims' lives are not in danger.

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537 words
10 February 2006
11:56
BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific
English

Text of report by Ampa Santimataneedol, published in English by Thai newspaper Bangkok Post website on 10 February

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has trumpeted his government's achievements on the back of growing resistance against his continuing to govern the country. Mr Thaksin used his live address to the National Economic and Social Advisory Council yesterday [9 February] to talk about his achievements over the past five years.

The council invited Mr Thaksin to speak about its cooperation with the government. The session was broadcast live on government-owned TV channel 11 and radio stations. He said the event coincided with his fifth anniversary as prime minister and so he thought it fitting to remind people of his government's achievements.

Mr Thaksin said gross domestic product grew by over 40 per cent from 4.9 trillion baht to 7.1 trillion baht at the end of last year. Income per head rose by 38.7 per cent from 79,100 baht when he took office to 109,700 baht now.

Foreign reserves rose by 63.4 per cent from 6bn US dollars before he took office to 37bn US dollars. Foreign debts dropped by 35.3 per cent from 71bn US dollars to 58bn US dollars. Non-performing loans declined from 17.9 per cent to 8.2 per cent. The stock index and the exchange value rose by 151.5 per cent and 242 per cent respectively. Employment grew by 12.4 per cent while unemployment fell to 1.8 per cent. The poverty line increased to 1,243 baht per month and the number of the poor dropped to 7.5m.

Mr Thaksin said the village fund lent over 200bn baht to 17.8m people and some of the money was spent to clear informal debts.

His presentation was based on a report by the National Economic and Social Development Board. According to the report, the government has provided the public with access to loans of 329bn baht. The village fund has lent 236bn baht, the People's Bank microfinance scheme of the Government Savings Bank 25.6bn baht, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank 15.7bn baht and the Asset Capitalisation Bureau 52.29bn baht.

He blamed the nation's trade deficit on oil prices. If oil prices were not a problem, Thailand would enjoy a trade surplus, he said.

After Mr Thaksin left, the council continued its meeting. Many councillors said Mr Thaksin's figures were not in accordance with those that central bank governor M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula had presented to the council on Jan 26.

The governor expressed his concern about household savings which dropped from 14.4 per cent of GDP in 1989 to 5 per cent in 2004. Mr Thaksin, however, told the council that household savings rose from 6.3 per cent of net income in 2001 to 8 per cent in 2004.

Council chairman Gothom Arya said he questioned the discrepancies over the household savings figures.

But since other figures presented by the prime minister and the bank matched, the prospect for growth should remain healthy.

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393 words
10 February 2006
Xinhua News Agency
English

BANGKOK, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The special Senate session on the selection of new graftbusters started in chaos Thursday with an infuriated senator presenting a short ladder to Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua, saying it was time he stepped down. The sarcastic gesture came as many senators protested heatedly against Suchon's decision to exclude the public from the chamber.

"Now I place the ladder for you to step down. It's a good time to bid farewell," said Buri Ram Senator Karoon Sai-ngarm as he gave the ladder to Suchon.

Suchon told the chamber that 68 senators had asked him in a letter to hold the meeting behind closed doors. Their request was justified under Senate practice, Suchon insisted, but many senators were not convinced.

The protest was not successful. Suchon did not turn on the microphones of protesting senators and reporters were asked to leave the chamber.

Karoon shouted at Suchon and demanded he hand out the letter to show who signed it and why.

"You should not take such a quick decision without allowing other senators to ask why," Karoon was quoted by Friday's Bangkok Post as saying and arguing the meeting should be public so the people would know how the Senate went about solving the selection problem.

Suchon made other decisions in the same fashion, only for them to result in deadlock, he said. The selection of auditor-general Jaruvan Maintaka and nomination of the new National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) were cases in point.

Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, issued the royal decree for an extraordinary session on Wednesday night. He earlier rejected the NCCC nomination list, finalized from 17 nominees and not 18 as required by the constitution.

Suchon was criticized for not carefully looking into the matter before sending the list to the King.

As the fierce quarrel between Karoon and Suchon continued, Suchon ordered security to eject Karoon from the chamber. Other senators stood up, signaling their disagreement. Karoon was left alone.

"I beg you to think of the nation and respect the chairman," said Suchon, whose face turned red.

"It's you who need to think of the nation. You have repeatedly made mistakes and this has marred the Senate's image," Karoon said. The meeting finally adjourned for 30 minutes so tempers could cool.

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177 words
10 February 2006
English

Bangkok Post:

-- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday beamed at the sight of a 5,000-strong crowd who streamed into Government House for a second consecutive day to lend him moral support as his opponents continued their campaign for him to step down. Mr Thaksin told his supporters, bussed in from various provinces, that he owed them a debt of gratitude and the favor would be returned.

The Nation:

-- The resurgence of student activism has added new momentum to the anti-Thaksin movement and drawn a clear battle line in a political war that seems to be dividing Thailand like never before.

Sing Sian Yit Pao:

-- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in +++yo Thursday afternoon. Dai, who arrived earlier in the day to attend the fourth round of China- Japan strategic talks, expounded China's principled stance on the current Sino-Japanese relationship.

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874 words
10 February 2006
Bangkok Post
English

CHAIYOS SASOMSAP

In 2005, the Thai economy was severely hampered by uncontrollable domestic and external shocks including the tsunami and global rising oil prices. Such issues caused economic growth to drop to 3.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2005, from 5.3% the previous quarter.

However, despite adversities, Thailand has proven to be resilient in weathering these storms. With positive government measures, well-managed export-import policies, and resilient tourism, Thai economic growth began to accelerate in the second and third quarters of 2005 to 4.6% and 5.3% respectively. Although official growth figures are yet to come, we estimate annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth to be at least 4.5% in 2005, satisfactory when considering the negative factors.

Economic stability has been strong. Unemployment was at its lowest level ever at 1.4% in Dec 2005. Price stability has remained intact, with headline inflation last year contained at 4.5%, despite the 46% increase in global oil prices. Our public debt-to-GDP is decreasing, from 50% in 2003 to around 45% at the end of last year. On external stability, although the current-account deficit was around 2% of GDP due to higher imported oil bills, foreign reserves stood at a record-high level of $52 billion dollars, or over three times the short-term external debt.

With continued momentum from last year, as well as strong private and public investment this year, economic growth in 2006 is projected to grow at least 5%, and is most certainly to be higher than last year. Inflationary pressure is expected to be less this year as the price impact from rising oil prices is expected to lessen in proportionate terms, with inflation projected at under 4% for the entire year. Current-account deficits will be closely monitored to stay at a sustainable level of less than 3% of GDP. We will continue to be vigilant to ensure both sustainable growth with internal and external stability.

This year, the government is planning to invest heavily in megaprojects to modernise the country and strengthen the nation's competitiveness. They will cover major areas such as logistics, including mass transit and transport, housing, water resource development, health, and education sectors. Investment in 2006 alone will be approximately 280 billion baht, with the total amount to be invested over the next four years totaling more than 1.8 trillion baht. These projects will provide new and exciting opportunities for the local and foreign private sectors to invest in Thailand.

Thailand is now seeking partners for development. We realise that we cannot move forward with these projects effectively on our own and that a rich pool of knowledge and technology is available worldwide, waiting to be tapped. We are seeking innovative and practical business proposals that will enable us to utilise the vast expertise and know-how of your companies for our modernising projects. We are also looking for competitive, cost-effective prices under attractive financing conditions. All in all, if any of you are interested in playing a role in Thailand's modernisation efforts, we would be more than happy to forward your proposal to concerned authorities.

ture economic policies and reforms will focus on a number of areas.

First and foremost, macroeconomic stability will be maintained to provide a conducive environment for private sectors to invest and take full advantage of the new opportunities offered.

Our economic stability will be maintained through fiscal, monetary and financial policies. On the fiscal front, we have set the fiscal sustainability framework to keep the public debt-to-GDP below 50% and the government debt service to the budget below 16%. On the monetary front, inflation rate must be maintained within the inflation target range set by the Bank of Thailand. On the financial front, we have launched a financial master plan to strengthen the Thai banking system, with a capital market plan to be launched shortly.

The government will also pay attention to each industry and support efforts to become more competitive to increase productivity and create value in all sectors.

Industries will be clustered and promoted as a whole. For example, the Finance Ministry is currently reforming import tariffs in major competitive industries, such as electronics, automotive, and processed foods. In the agricultural sector, reforms will cover new innovations and encourage each province to maximise its potential production. In the service sector, tourism will become more active and tourist attractions better developed.

For public sector reforms, legal reform remains a priority of the government agenda to facilitate economic growth and remove any obstacles that hinder business development. The use of information technology will be accelerated to promote efficiency, transparency and good governance. E-government and e-service will be applied and implemented in all government agencies.

I believe that strong economic stability and the government's reform policies will lay a sturdy foundation for sustainable economic growth in the future. Looking ahead, I am confident that a bright future lies ahead for us, with emerging opportunities to be uncovered.

Chaiyos Sasomsap is the Deputy Finance Minister. This article is abridged from a speech on investment opportunities in Thailand made on Feb 2 in Frankfurt.

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392 words
10 February 2006
09:20
English

TOP STORIES

- The resurgence of student activism has added new momentum to the anti-Thaksin movement and drawn a clear battle line in a political war that seems to be dividing Thailand like never before (THE NATION)

- Shinawatra family adviser Suvarn Valaisathien rebutted the Democrats by denying that an English twin of Ample Rich Investments Ltd was involved in trading Shin Corp stocks (THE NATION)

- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra defended his political record on the fifth anniversary of his coming to power as he faced a second mass protest calling for his resignation (BUSINESS DAY)

- Thaksin greeted a 5,000-strong crowd who streamed into Government House for a second consecutive day to lend him moral support as his opponents continued their campaign to oust him (BANGKOK POST)

- The special Senate session on the selection of new graftbusters started in chaos with an infuriated senator presenting a short ladder to Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua, saying it was time he stepped down (BANGKOK POST)

- A security guard shot and wounded a university student after she annoyed him by jumping the queue at a Bangkok Bank branch (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- As low-cost airline and Shin Corp unit Thai AirAsia seeks Thai partners to maintain its Thai identity, observers are wondering if other Shin subsidiaries -- particularly Advanced Info Service PCL , Shin Sattelite PCL and iTV PCL -- will face similar circumstances (THE NATION)

- Growing concerns about political instability have begun to take a toll on consumer confidence, with a university consumer confidence index falling for the first time in six months in January (THE NATION)

- Thaksin's political troubles stemming from last month's 73.3 billion baht ($1.85 billion) Shin Corp sale could take a significant turn if it is found that asset disclosure rules were violated, according to legal experts (BANGKOK POST)

- The Revenue Department has launched an investigation into whether overseas transactions involving Shin Corp shares involved tax liabilities (BANGKOK POST) ($1=39.70 Baht) ** Looking for more information from local sources? Factiva.com has eight Thai sources including the Bangkok Post and Business Day.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Man dies eating puffer fish

The Public Health Ministry has issued a warning against eating puffer fish after the death of a man in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen earlier this week.

The man and his family fell ill after eating puffer fish caught from a pond. The man convulsed and developed breathing difficulties, while his relatives began vomiting.

He was taken to hospital on Monday night, but died the next day. His family survived.

Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said all species of puffer fish, whether salt water or fresh, contain the poison tetrodotoxin, and cooking could not remove it.

Puffer fish is a delicacy in Japan, Mr. Anutin said, but could only be prepared by licensed, specially trained chefs.

Other people should not attempt to cook and eat the toxic fish by themselves, he said.

Dr. Pakdi Phothisiri, director-general of the Health Service Support Department, said the Food and Drug Administration had already investigated the Khon Kaen fatality.

Under Public Health Ministry regulations, the production, selling, export and import of puffer fish and puffer fish products were banned.

Offenders could face up to two years in prison and a 20,000 baht fine.

Dr. Pakdi also appealed to open-air barbeque restaurants - popular in Bangkok and provinces - not to offer puffer fish for the safety of consumers.