Thai Press Reports articles from August 2008

Thai Press Reports archives from August 2008

Thailand: Senate debates political crisis in wake of confrontations between police and anti-government protesters.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - The Senate on Friday interrupted its normal session and went into an urgent debate after hearing police's clashes with anti-government protesters brought political tension to new heights, The Nation reports....

Thailand: Prime minister switches to wear-them-out strategy against demonstrators.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Polities- The Nation Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has resorted to psychological warfare and all legal possibilities to wear down the protesters camping inside the Government House compound before hoping to round...

Thailand: Anti-government demonstrators clash with police as they march to Royal Plaza.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - At qround noontime on Friday, thousands of people started gathering at the Royal Plaza Friday afternoon but they were blocked from joining protesters inside Government House, The Nation reports. The...

Thailand: Prime minister says again police won't use force against demonstrators.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted Friday that police would not use force against protesters, the Bangkok Post reports. His statement came after police re-entered Government House compound after...

Thailand: Anti-government demonstrators block entrance to Hat Yai airport.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Anti-government protesters blocked entrances and exits at the Hat Yai airport with some 100 vehicles, amid growing fears simmering political trouble in Bangkok could spread to major provinces, The Nation...

Thailand: Anti-government demonstrators block access to Phuket and Hat Yai airports.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in Songkhla and Phuket blocked entrances of the Hat Yai and Phuket international airports on Friday afternoon to demand that the government do not use force to break up...

Government spokesman reiterates force will not be used against demonstrators.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Police broke into the Government House because it has to follow the injunction of the Civil Court, which ordered that supporters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) move out of the Government House and...

Thailand: House purchasers to receive Bht 1.5 ml maximum loan from GHB.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - In the loan-for-housing programs, the Government Housing Bank (GHB) has recently adjusted its current criteria and requirements for qualified loaners to be granted loans for their first home. The GHB President,...

Thailand: Transport company provides 800 buses to assist PAD protesters wishing to go home.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Managing Director of the Transport Company Limited, Wutichart Kalayanamitr stated that his company has been contacted by the National Police and has prepared vehicles to assist in the transport of People's...

Thailand: Interior Minister and Police Commander meet to revamp strategies on PAD situation.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Interior Minister Police General Kowit Watana and National Police Commander, Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan both traveled to the Metropolitan Police Headquarters this morning to receive a briefing on the...

Thailand: PWA to not cut state offices off from water.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) will continue releasing tap water to state organizations as usual and bolster security in all waterworks authority areas in an attempt to prevent ill-intentioned...

Thailand: PM calls off plans to disperse demonstrators.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has abandoned plans to disperse congregation of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) this morning (August 28th) in an effort to avoid possible confrontation between...

Thailand: Public Health Ministry to support fresh markets in reaching standardized level within three years.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Ministry of Public Health has set a goal that in 3 years it will be able to improve the quality of fresh markets throughout the nation to be more enticing to consumers with health assured products. Deputy...

Thailand: Police say PAD leaders may appeal warrants if they wish.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Spokesman for the National Police, Police Major General Surapol Tuanthong stated that the People's Alliance for Democracy may file an appeal against the Civil Court's injunction if it wishes, but it...

Thailand: PM brainstorming military strategies with defense students.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej chaired a seminar on military strategies, attended by students from four military colleges today (August 28th) at the National Defence Studies Institute. The seminar is an effort to...

Thailand: BMC actions prevents flooding in metropolis.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Department of Drainage and Sewage under the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) forecasts flooding will not devastate the Bangkok metropolis this year due to a lower rain volume. The department reports that only 40...

Thailand: Buri Ram discourages local people to join PAD rally.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Governor of Buri Ram province Santhad Chattuchai has requested district chiefs and administrative officials to create understanding amongst residents about the democratic system in Thailand. The move was seen...

Thailand: Senators says govt. overly charged PAD.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - A group of senators says the government has overly charged leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). More than 20 senators have called a meeting to discuss PAD's rally and the government's...

Thailand: Interior Minister closely monitors PAD mob.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Wattana closely monitors the demonstration by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The deputy premier has traveled to Metropolitan Police...

Thailand: Finance Minister says political turmoil, interest rate hike won't affect GDP growth.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Surapong Suebwonglee indicates that Thailand's political situation and the Monetary Policy Committee's interest rate modification will not affect the nation's expected...

Thailand: PAD end minor stand off resulting in attempted arrests last night.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The People's Alliance for Democracy rally taking place at the Government House has begun to calm after a particularly tense night in which protesters prepared to deter police from arresting the PAD leaders....

Thailand: PAD to file appeal against warrants and injunction.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - People's Alliance for Democracy Liaison Suriyasai Katasila revealed this morning that the PAD will file an appeal against warrants issued by the Criminal Court against him, the 5 PAD leaders and 9 other PAD...

Thailand: Police organize free transport for PAD demonstrators who wish to return home.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Spokesman for the National Police, Police Major General Surapol Tuanthong stated that the National Police have organized 110 buses and vans to facilitate citizens joining in the People's Alliance for...

Thailand: Gen.Panlop says he will be PAD leader if Maj.Gen.Chamlong arrested.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Gen.Panlop Pinmanee says he has promised Leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Maj.Gen.Chamlong Srimuang that he will join PAD if Maj.Gen.Chamlong is arrested. Gen.Panlop says he and...

Thailand: Private sector confident govt. will not use force against protestors.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The private sector expresses belief that the government will not resort to violence to disperse the rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Executive of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI),...

Thailand: Energy Ministry mulls adjustment to LPG pricing structure.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Ministry of Energy is about to consider an adjustment of the pricing structure of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that is used in the transport and industrial sector by this month's end. In a seminar entitled...

Thailand: Army denies preparing forces to tackle PAD's rally.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - First Army Area Commander Lt.Gen.Prayuth Chan-ocha dismisses rumor that the army has prepared forces to control the situation at the Government House seized by the People's Alliance for Democracy. The...

Thailand: 150,000 tonnes of LPG to be imported in September.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The Ministry of Energy will import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) of 150,000 tonnes in September following a high demand for the gas in the transport sector. Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy Norkun Sitthipong...

Thailand: PPP MP submits dissolution of Democrat party case to Office of the Attorney General.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - People Power Party MP of Chiang Mai Surapong Tohvijakchaikul stated that he has submitted the dissolution case of the Democrat party to the Office of the Attorney General so that it may review the facts before...

Thailand: Commerce Chamber believes nation can still see 5-6 percent GDP growth this year.
August 29, 2008... Section: Economy - Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Pramon Suthiwong stated that the private sector is still confident the nation will see a growth of 5-6 percent in the Grown Domestic Product (GDP). His remarks come in contrast to...

Thailand: PAD leader says civil disobedience to be used until declaration of victory on August 31st.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sonthi Limthongkul has indicated that following the government's effort to use court rulings to rid the Government House of the PAD presence, he and fellow leaders have...

Thailand: Government hosts welcome banquet for Thai Olympians.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The government hosted a welcome banquet Wednesday evening at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall for 51 Thai athletes who represented the nation in the 29th Olympic Games, presenting financial rewards to the athletes...

Thailand: Thai embassies, consulates instructed to clarify Bangkok protests.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag on Wednesday revealed that the ministry had faxed Thai embassies and consulates worldwide written instructions and a detailed explanation about the separate rallies at key...

Thailand: North, Northeastern provinces hit by floods.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The northeastern province of Chaiyaphum has been hit by flood while rehabilitation work continues in flood hit areas in the northern province of Chiang Rai. In Chaiyaphum, the municipality has been flooded after...

Thailand: Court orders protest leaders to leave Government House.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Thailand's Civil Court granted an immediate injunction ordering all People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators to move out of the Government House compound in Bangkok and end road blockades, to allow...

Thailand: Economic advisers propose seven measures to boost Thai economy.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The team of economic advisers to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Wednesday proposed seven measures to jump start and solve Thailand's economy, and said they were optimistic that growth in the second half of 2008...

Thailand: Thai central bank raises policy interest rate 25 basis points to 3.75%.
August 29, 2008... Section: Economy - In an attempt to spur the country's economic growth and control inflation, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Wednesday raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75 per cent with...

Thailand: Thai overseas commerce reps asked to explain political situation.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Commerce Minister Pichet Tancharoen on Thursday revealed he had instructed commerce counsellors attached to Thai embassies and consulates worldwide to explain to the country's trading partners that the...

Thailand: ASEAN Secretary-General worries about political turmoil in Thailand.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan on Thursday expressed concern that Thailand's political turmoil would affect Thailand's image as the chairman of the regional group. Speaking of the ongoing political tension...

Thailand: PM vows 'no force to disperse protesters' at Government House.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed that force will not be used to crack down the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters who remained inside the premises of Government House for a third day...

Thailand: Thai police won't use force to crack down on protesters, says Police chief.
August 29, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Police will not use force to disperse or arrest the nine core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have been served arrest warrants, but will use a "tender approach" and negotiation to deal...

Vietnam: 'Great potential' for microfinance in Vietnam.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Vietnam holds huge potential for microfinance development, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday. Hung made the comments to delegates to the Asia Microfinance Forum 2008 in Hanoi. He said Vietnam...

Vietnam: Securities trading takes days off.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - There will be no securities trading in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi bourses on Monday and Tuesday, which are set aside for the National Day. Trading will resume on Wednesday. - VNS

Vietnam: SSC approves new brokerage.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The State Securities Commission has approved in principle the operation of newly established Hoa Anh Dao Securities. The company will provide three of five securities skills - brokering, consulting and...

Vietnam: SSI profits over $5 million this year.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Saigon Securities Inc (SSI) posted an after-tax profit of VND91.5 billion (US$5.55 million) in July, lifting profits for the first seven months of this year to VND64.3 billion. During the first half of this year,...

Vietnam: Kien Long offers 40m new shares.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Kien Long Bank will offer 41.99 million shares following recent approval by the State Securities Commission. Of the total volume, the bank will sell 39.99 million shares to existing stockholders and offer the...

Vietnam: VN-Index fails to rally on falling petrol.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The lowered petroleum price had little obvious impact on the VN-Index yesterday, which closed up 0.03 per cent at 561.85. The Ministry of Finance yesterday officially lowered the domestic petroleum price by...

Vietnam: Steel storage tanks enter Vietnam's market.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Steel storage tanks, used in many countries to store such liquids as petrol, water, beer and wine, penetrated the Vietnamese market this year. Vietnam News reporter Van Nga talked with Edward Lang, Asia and Pacific...

Vietnam: Ca Mau attracts major investment.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The southernmost province of Ca Mau is becoming an attractive investment destination in the south, according to a local official. Huynh Viet Khai, the director of Ca Mau Province's Trade-Tourism and Investment...

Vietnam: Bumper crops raise rice export target.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Rice exporters in Vietnam have signed contracts until September to bring total rice exports to 3.5 million tonnes, according to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA). Vietnam exported 3.38 million tonnes of rice in...

Vietnam: Paper group wants tariffs gone.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The Vietnam Paper and Pulp Association (VPPA) has asked the Finance Ministry to eliminate the tariff on printing paper imports from ASEAN countries. The current tariff runs at 5 per cent. The association said the...

Vietnam: Firms limit recruitment as expenses for raw materials rise.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The rising cost of raw materials for small- and medium-sized enterprises has caused companies to cut back on employee recruitment, according to officials. Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, director of Marketing and...

Vietnam: Government regulates central bank's work.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The Government issued on Tuesday a decree regulating the functions, rights, responsibilities and structure of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). Under Decree No 96/2008/ND-CP, SBV is considered as a ministerial...

ASEAN: ASEAN standards, quality meet ends.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) today wraps up a three-day meeting that discussed removing technical trade barriers. Standards and conformance are increasingly important and play...

Vietnam: Government, private sector ink MOU on software piracy.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Representatives from the Government, software companies and international copyright experts have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strengthening co-operation with software copyright protection in Vietnam....

Vietnam: NA to streamline session meetings.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee will try to improve the organisation of meetings in future sessions, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong said as the NA's 11th session concluded in Hanoi yesterday. NA...

Vietnam: Public disturbance case goes to court.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Hanoi's Dong Da District police yesterday took legal proceedings against a public order disturbance case that took place at the Chien Thang Garment Joint Stock Company on August 15. Head of the Dong Da Police Vu...

Vietnam: PM Dung hails flourishing ties with Australia, S Korea.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam-Australia cooperation continued to blossom in various fields, especially bringing about a sharp increase in trade, investment and official development assistance (ODA). Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made...

Vietnam: President Triet sends condolences over Kyrgyzstan plane crash.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - State President Nguyen Minh Triet has sent a message of condolences to his Kyrgyz counterpart, Kurmanbek Bakiev, over losses in humans in a plane crash on August 24. The Iran-bound Boeing 737 plane of Kyrgyzstan's...

Vietnam: Prime Minister asks provinces to scrutinise golf course numbers.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked provincial authorities to re-consider the number of proposed golf courses across the country. Dung told the chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and cities to...

Vietnam: Central provinces must focus on environmental problems, says Deputy PM.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The country's central provinces need to better address environmental problems in order to fully exploit their tourism and economic potential, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said in an online discussion with...

Vietnam: World Bank helps upgrade Da Nang infrastructure.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The agreement and related papers of a US$218.46 million project to upgrade central Da Nang city's urban and environment infrastructure was signed in Hanoi on August 28 between the State Bank of Vietnam and the World...

Vietnam: Vietnam-Japan trade turnover likely to reach US$16 bln this year.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Japan is likely to reach US$16.2 billion this year, surpassing the set target of US$15 billion by 2010, according to a source from Japanese Customs. In the first half of...

Vietnam: A prompt decision to keep inflation in check.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The August 27 decision by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance to lower domestic petrol and kerosene retail prices by an additional VND1,000/litre is considered a key factor in curbing...

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City expo to highlight Indochinese tourism.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The International Travel Expo 2008 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from September 12-14, expecting to draw the participation of 180 sellers and 110 buyers from 11 countries. ITE HCMC 2008 will serve as a venue to...

Vietnam: Hanoi to host Japan's IT Festival 2008.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - As many as 130 enterprises from Vietnam and Japan are expected to participate in Japan's Information Technology (IT) Festival 2008 in Hanoi from September 3-4. Organisers said the festival will include an...

Vietnam: Export companies short of capital.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - According to the latest report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, there are positive signs that exports will continue to increase sharply. But many enterprises are worried about the possible shortage of capital...

Vietnam: Vietnam records great achievements in poverty reduction.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - President and CEO of the Citi Foundation, Pamela P. Flaherty, has praised Vietnam's achievements in poverty reduction in recent years. Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of the Asia Microfinance Forum...

Vietnam: Vietnam offers favourable conditions to South Korean investors.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has assured the Republic of Korea's Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Chung Jong Hwan, of good conditions for RoK investors who are interested in transport infrastructure...

Vietnam: Special work committees of Vietnam and Laos meet.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The special work committees of the Vietnamese and Lao governments held their 13th session in Vientiane on August 26. The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duoc, Deputy...

Vietnam: Finance Minister welcomes former Australian Prime Minister.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Finance Minister welcomes former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating and Executive General Manager Keith Broadhouse of the Australian Armaguard at headquarter of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on August 27....

Vietnam: Inter-Ministries adjust petrol retail prices again.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Beyond the situation of decreasing petrol prices on the world market, on August 27, 2008, inter-Ministries of Finance and Industry and Trade organized press conference on re-adjusting 1,000 VND decrease again in...

Vietnam: Great opportunities available for Vietnam-Australia cooperation, says PM.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Receiving former Australian PM Paul Keating who is paying a working visit to Vietnam, PM Nguyen Tan Dung stated on August 27 that many new chances to cement and deepen the cooperation between Vietnam and Australia will...

Vietnam: PM's opinions on some foreign-funded projects.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The PM gave permissions on August 26 to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Vietnam Lawyers' Association to take over foreign-funded projects separately. The MoH will adopt the 24-month Project "Capacity...

Vietnam: Deputy PM welcomes int'l microfinanciers.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Standing Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung had a reception on August 27 international microfinance investors attending the 2nd Asia Microfinance Forum held in Vietnam. On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Brett Krause,...

Vietnam: ADB to help Vietnam improve tertiary education.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - Through the Asia Development Bank (ADB), the Japanese Special Fund will give Vietnam a technical support package worth of US $1 million to establish feasible researches on building two model research universities in...

Vietnam: CEPF backs Vietnam in conserving biodiversity.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Indochina Region made debut in Vietnam last week. Through a five-year project, CEPF pledged to actively join hands in preserving biodiversity hotspots in...

Vietnam: Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia tourism exhibition to be held next month.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The International Tourism Exhibition (ITE HCMC) 2008 under the theme "Charming beauties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - Three countries, one destination" will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from September 12-14. The...

Philippines: BSP hikes rates further by 25 bps.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Another 25 basis points (bps) were added to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rates Thursday, as widely expected by the market. Thus, central bank's borrowing rate is now six percent while lending rate is...

ASEAN: ASEAN concludes Australia, New Zealand free trade talks.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has concluded a free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand after three years of talks, said a joint statement issued here on Thursday. "The ministers welcomed...

Philippines: NEDA sees August inflation between 12.1%-12.7%.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Socio-economic planning chief Ralph Recto on Thursday forecast inflation at a range of 12.1-12.7 percent for August 2008. He, however, declined to give the reasons behind this projection. In July, inflation...

Philippines: BSP forecasts August '08 inflation between 11.8-12.6%.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projects inflation to range between 11.8 - 12.6 percent in August, with the upper end higher than the previous month's figure because of the typhoon season and rising costs of raw...

Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea to improve power supply.
August 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Papua New Guinea will draw up a detailed plan to improve power supply in the country where 90 percent of the population still has no electricity. The Japan Special Fund, administered by the Asian Development Bank...

World: ADB study offers new way to measure poverty in Asia.
August 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today release a study that offers a new way to measure poverty in the Asia and Pacific region. The report, published in a special chapter of Key Indicators 2008, the flagship...