Thai Press Reports articles from October 2009

Thai Press Reports archives from October 2009

Thailand: Govt to publicize its one-year achievements.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The government is preparing to announce its achievements during one year of work to Parliament and publish them for the general public. PM's Office Minister Satit Wonghnongtaey, in his capacity of chairman...

Thailand: Official Hajj Delegation to improve Hajj pilgrimage service in Saudi Arabia.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Hajj pilgrimage services for Thai Muslims must be improved, according to the Leader of the Official Hajj Delegation. The Leader of the Official Hajj Delegation, Dr. Ismail Lutfi Chapakia spoke at the mosque in Medina...

Thailand: SRT sacks six train staff, sues two others for obstructing train operations.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resolved to fire six train staff at Hat Yai junction and filed a lawsuit, seeking the Central Labour Court order to sack two others members of the SRT's labor union by demanding 70...

Thailand: Finance Minister Korn confident crop price guarantee registration to complete this year.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij has expressed his confidence in the registration of farmers and social contract for crop price guarantee scheme of the government to complete within the end of this year. As...

Thailand: Koala's habitat to be redecorated at Chiang Mai Zoo.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The habitat for the six koalas of Chiang Mai Zoo has been redecorated in order to boost an awareness of Koalas among Thai youths as well as foreign tourists. Chiang Mai Zoo Director Mr Tanapat Pongamorn revealed that...

Thailand: Supreme Admin Court chiefs appointed.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has endorsed Supreme Administrative Court chief judges. Phiraphon Chaosiri was appointed as 2nd Deputy President of the Supreme Administrative Court and Kasem Khomsattham as Chief of...

Thailand: 3G bidding to begin early next year.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - The bidding of a 3G mobile phone network of Thailand's major telecommunication operator TOT Plc will begin in February next year while the first trial of the company's 3G system is expected to take place next month. ...

Thailand: 76 Provinces Bicycle Caravan arrives in Phayao.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Five riders of Riding 73 provinces, 179 days, and 8,666 kilometers to honor his Majesty the King arrived in the northern province of Phayao yesterday. The project is being held by the Thai Cycling Club, which aims to...

Thailand: Sacked train staff petitions against SRT's dismissal order.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The six State Railway of Thailand employees at Hat Yai station who were fired yesterday for their strike, are planning to fight to the end for justice and seeking an appeal against the SRT's dismissal order. Chairman...

Thailand: EC to receive probing results of Democrat's donation on Friday.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - Investigative committee will submit its result of the two scandalous donation cases of the ruling Democrat Party to the Election Commission (EC) on 30 October 2009, according to Secretary-General to the EC,...

Thailand: Govt ready to clarify strip of Mr Thaksin's police rank.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The government has expressed its readiness to explain the removal of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's police rank to the Opposition in Parliament. Government Chief Whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat...

Thailand: Govt to report performance after 1 yr in office.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The government is preparing to compile all its work and report their performance to Parliament and the public after one year in office according to Prime Minister's Office Minister Satit Wonghnongtaey. In...

Thailand: Two senior police officers sacked for their roles in Oct 7 protest crackdown.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The disciplinary committee of the Royal Thai Police Office resolved to fire two senior officers who were found guilty of committing serious disciplinary and criminal offences in connection with two separate...

Thailand: PM says stock rumor makers to face legal punishment.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Four people will be charged due to their involvement in the spreading of the rumor about the health of His Majesty the King, which resulted in the two day stock sell off earlier this month, according to the Prime...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand says NPLs in 16 commercial banks remained stable in Q3 this year.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - The total value of non-performing loans in the third quarter fell slightly on the previous quarter due to stricter regulations on lending, according to latest report by the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Assistant Central...

Thailand: Public telephone is losing popularity.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The declining era of public telephones is approaching as TOT Public Company Limited indicates that the century-long service has lost nearly 100% of its market share to mobile phones. TOT stated its earnings from...

Thailand: Finance Minister is confident in measures to shore up agricultural prices.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij stated the paddy price shoring up measures could prevent middlemen from profiteering by undercutting agricultural product prices during the registering period in the crop price guarantee...

Thailand: Stock rumor makers to face arrest warrants.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Police will on Thursday request the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants to four people allegedly spreading rumors which resulted in the recent plummeting of Thai stock market. The four people violated Section 14 of...

Thailand: 2009 crude price will be below 85 USD/barrel.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - Crude oil price of this year is expected to stand in the range of 75-85 USD per barrel due to the US dollar depreciation, according to Bangchak Pereoleum Plc President, Dr Anusorn Sangnimnuan. Dr Anusorn stated that...

Thailand: PM says private sector and people must be ready for the economic change.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Prime Minister urged the private sector and the people to get ready for changes that come with the future economy. The Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave a lecture on Thailand Tomorrow, Thailand 2010, at the...

Thailand: Bt9.3 bn expected to circulate during Loy Krathong.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reports the Loy Krathong festival this year may see 9.3 billion baht in circulation or a 5.7% increase compared to the same period last year. The university's survey...

Thailand: Three major financial focuses in 2010.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Ministry of Finance will reform Thailand's economic structure by improving the well-being of Thai people, competitiveness of the private sector and good governance of the public sector in response to the Strong...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand raises GDP growth forecast.
October 30, 2009... Section: Economy - Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate projection for this year will be revised from -4.5 to -3.5% to -3.5 to -2.5% due to the country's economic recovery in the second and third quarters of 2009, according to the...

Thailand: Rabiabrat raps naval sex abuse's probe.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Activist and former Senator for Khon Kaen, Rabiabrat Pongpanit, has expressed dissatisfaction and grave concerns in the potential failure to prosecute the Military General accused of sexually abusing a female naval...

Thailand: 3D paper models of Thailand's traditional symbols to be promoted by MOC.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Ministry of Culture (MOC) gave an approval to the promotion of 3D paper models of Thailand's historical sites and national symbols, produced by AT MODELS Co., Ltd. The Tuk Tuk, Wat Phra Kaeo as well as other...

Thailand: Bangkok Governor to monitor river piers for coming Loy Krathong festival.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the Bangkok Governor will make official field trips to monitor the river piers to ensure safety for the coming Loy Krathong Festival. M.R. Sukhumbhand will today travel by boat to double...

Thailand: Road Safety Center to be operated During Loy Krathong Festival.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Road Safety Centers have been set up by the Department of Highways (DOC) to facilitate Thai citizens on their trips during the Loy Krathong Festival. Fifteen Road Safety Centers will come into operation during 1-3...

Thailand: Maths learning to be elevated with France's support.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Education Ministry is cooperating with France in developing research on mathematical education in the hope to enhance the competency of Thai kids and reduce the gap between fast and slow students. The Education...

Thailand: PM vows university entrance exam must be finalized this month.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vows the government's plan to revise the Thai university entrance examination system will be finalized this month while stressing the importance of motivation in the educational reform. ...

Thailand: Phuket promises strong sense of unity at national anthem singing.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - About 30,000 locals and officials in Phuket gathered at the province's most prominent landscape to sing the national anthem at 18.00 hrs today in accordance with Thai unity, Strong Thailand' scheme, initiated by the...

Thailand: Thai Airways empowered by new customer management system.
October 30, 2009... Section: Corporate News - Thai Airways International (THAI) is yet again driving forwards by adopting the Amadeus Altea System for better integration of passengers management and facilitation. Mr. Pruet Boobphakam, THAI Executive Vice...

Thailand/Cambodia: Thai-Cambodia in the midst of relationship crisis.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The provocative remarks made by Cambodia's Prime Minister Mr Hun Sen during his face-off with the media upon arrival at the ASEAN venue was deemed unethical diplomacy towards Thailand, as the Chair of the 15th ASEAN...

Thailand: Is it appropriate time for an SRT reform?
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The concept on the State Railway of Thailand's reform initiated by the Democrat-led government to overhaul the administrative structure at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been widely backed by academics and...

Thailand: OTOP gets stronger along with communities.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - With more distribution channels and diversity, the One Tambon One Product or OTOP Project not only could stand on its feet, but also improve the social standard all over the country. Even though the OTOP project has...

Thailand: Thailand's National Savings Day.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Thailand's National Savings Day was first announced in 1998 in the hope to encourage people to start savings on their habitual basis. The concept was originated from Tom Yum Kung Crisis in 1997 during which many people...

Thailand: Southern Train Services resume under tight security.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Bangkok-Had Yai southern train services; including stops at three southernmost stations, have resumed. A large number of commuters have cued up to buy tickets amidst tight security by the military. - Thai ASEAN...

Thailand: Six train workers sacked.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The State Railway of Thailand issued an order of dismissal for 6 train staff at Hat Yai station, and fine of 70 million baht in total, for acting in a way that disrupted normal rail services. Meanwhile, train staff...

Thailand: PM's Office Minister says revocation of Thaksin's police rank is not out of vengeance.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The Prime Minister's Office Minister says that the revocation of Thaksin's police rank and the royal decorations is not an act of vengeance. Prime Minister's Office Minister Satit Wonghnongtaey insists...

Thailand: Finance Minister confident similar BBC fraud case not to occur again.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Finance Minister expects an investigatory report on the spread of stock-crashing rumours next Monday. He also insists that, given commercial banks' tightened security, chances for similar occurrences to a Bangkok...

Thailand/Cambodia: National Border Commission claims Gen Chawalit not authorized to talk with Hun Sen.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The House Committee on national border affairs insisted the Pheu Thai Party Chairman was not appointed to talk with the Cambodian Prime Minister. The committee vows to find out whether any commissioner...

Thailand/Cambodia: Pheu Thai MPs insists Gen Chavalit's Cambodia trip was for country's best interest.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - Pheu Thai Party MPs insist that their key leader's trip to Cambodia was in the best interest of the country. Trips to four more countries are planned. The Pheu Thai Party MPs, led by Yasothon MP Peerapan...

United States: Nasa launches Ares 1-X Rocket on unmanned test flight.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - NASA launches a test flight of its Ares 1-X rocket -- part of a new program intended to return astronauts to the moon in the 2020s. An unmanned NASA rocket intended to help develop a new space taxi service to the moon...

Thailand: Number of unemployed persons expected to be less than 600,000.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - The Kasikorn Research Center stated that the number of unemployed persons this year is expected to be less than 600,000 since the economy has started to improve and the manufacturing sector has begun employing more...

Thailand: NTC urged to consider nation's interest on 3G bidding.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - The consumer protection association has urged the National Telecommunications Commission, or NTC, to conduct the bidding process for 3G licenses in the nation's best interest. Meanwhile, the NTC will organize another...

Thailand: Finance Ministry reaffirms fair rice price for farmers.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Finance Minister insists that the price guarantee for agriculture products, under the farmers' income guarantee scheme, does not force under pricing and does restrict middlemen from taking advantage of farmers. He...

Thailand: Sacked train workers deny to acknowledge dismissal.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The 6 train staff who had been dismissed by governor of the State Railway of Thailand, or SRT, Yutthana Tapcharoen, said they will not acknowledge the dismissal. They are saying they are being treated unfairly by the SRT...

Thailand: Fugitive ousted Thaksin responds to revocation of his police rank via Twitter.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - Fugitive ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra tweeted to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday evening, commenting on the government's plan to revoke his police rank and his royal decorations. Ex-prime...

Thailand: Public Health Ministry to deal with flu outbreaks.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Public Health Ministry has prepared measures for H1N1 flu, seasonal flu and bird flu outbreaks over the upcoming cold season. In response to this, the Ministry has vowed to keep a close watch on the outbreaks and...

Thailand: Central Bank reports stable NPL rate in Q3.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - The Central Bank has reported a stable debt ratio for the third quarter compared to the same period last year, thanks to more stringent loan conditions imposed by commercial banks. Sorasit Suntornkes, assistant...

Asia: Who Will 'Rule' the East Asian Community?
October 30, 2009... Section: Editorial - The World Today' column, Post Today newspaper, Translated and edited by Wacharapol Isaranont And six years is not long considering a large scope of cooperation as well as all preparation. In business and economics, East...

Thailand: Commerce Ministry to hold talks on excise tax for imported raw materials.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Businesses have asked the Commerce Minister to negotiate with the Ministry of Finance on the excise taxes for imported raw materials. Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai has said, after a meeting with representatives...

China/North Korea: China ignores UN sanctions, gives warm welcome to N-Korean senior official.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Chinese President Hu Jintao praises growing ties between China and North Korea in a meeting with a senior Pyongyang official in Beijing. Chinese President Hu Jintao gave a warm welcome to senior North Korean official...

Cuba: Cubans mark 50TH anniversary of Guerrilla hero's death.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Thousands of Cubans gather in Revolution Square for the inauguration of a massive sculpture to honour revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos on the 50th anniversary of his death. Thousands of Cubans turned out on...

United States/Honduras: US envoys arrive in Honduras in last-ditch effort to end political crisis.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - U.S. envoys arrive in Honduras in a last-ditch effort to facilitate an end to the political crisis which has gripped the country since June. An emergency commission of top U.S. government officials arrived in...

China: China fills missing link in Darwinopterus evolutionary chain.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The 165-million-year-old Darwinopterus is a newly discovered fossil which proves an interesting link in the evolutionary chain. A Chinese scientist said a new find in the fossil world has filled in a gap in the records...

Thailand: PM Abhisit says police will soon issue arrest warrants for 4 suspects in market-bashing rumor case.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - PM Abhisit Vejjajiva reveals the police are in the process of acquiring arrest warrants for 4 individuals believed to be responsible for spreading the rumor that caused the Thai stock market to nose-dive earlier in...

Thailand: National Police Bureau dismissed former Met Police Chief.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The National Police Bureau has dismissed former Metropolitan Police Chief Suchart Muernkaew for his involvement in the October 7 crackdown on the People's Alliance for Democracy. - Thai ASEAN News Network

Thailand: Vegan to boost economy and healthy diet.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Despite the slow economy resulting in people having less money to spend, a large number of Thais chose to go vegan for the annual Chinese Vegetarian Festival that has just winded down to a close. But consumption of...

Thailand: Warm clothes in high demand ahead of cold season.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - A second-hand market in the eastern province of Sa Kaew is seeing lots of clients, as warm clothes are in high demand ahead of the upcoming cold season. Meanwhile, the governor of the northeastern province of Kalasin...

Thailand: Security beefed up for Loy Krathong Festival.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Security in several provinces has been tightened for the upcoming celebration of the annual Loy Krathong festivities on November 2. A team of doctors from Chachoengsao Hospital rushed to provide medical treatment to...

Thailand: Defence Minister sees nothing wrong about removing Thaksin's rank.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The defense minister has dismissed the planned meeting between Pheu Thai's key member and leaders of neighboring countries and said the move will have no bearing on the country's situation. He also said...

Thailand: Over 25 million signed get-well wishes for King.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Interior Ministry has submitted visit books signed by more than 25 million people who wish His Majesty the King a quick recovery as he is recuperating at Siriraj Hospital. Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary...

Pakistan: Cleanup starts at Pakistani blast site.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Workers continue cleaning debris from the Peshawar blast site, as locals reflect on yesterday's attack which killed 90 people. Rescue workers were busy on Thursday, cleaning debris from the site where a car bomb ripped...

Mexico: Mexican authorities arrest leader of Familia Michoacana Drug Cartel.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Mexican authorities arrest a man they believe to head La Familia Michoacana cartel in the state of Mexico, located on the outskirts of Mexico City. The Jalisco state attorney general's office said Mexican police have...

Thailand: Arrest Warrants sought for culprits of stock-bashing rumor.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The premier has ordered police to take serious action against rumormongers who caused a huge plunge in the Thai stock index two weeks ago while preventive measures will be taken by related agencies early next week. ...

Thailand: Central Bank puts '09 GDP growth at minus 2.5-3.5%.
October 30, 2009... Section: Economy - The central bank has adjust its 2009 GDP forecast to minus 2.5-3.5 per cent from the previous minus 3.5-4.5 per cent. For 2010, the central bank predicts the Thai economy would grow by 3.3-5.3 per cent. - Thai ASEAN News Network

Thailand: Broadcasting Rights of SEA Games in Laos.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Counting down to the upcoming 25th SEA Games in Laos, Petch Jampa Company has claimed that they have sorted out broadcasting rights for the event. In contract signing ceremony, Chairman of the 25th SEA Games...

Thailand: Sai Yok's stunning scenery aboard a 'bamboo floatel'.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi province is a nature-lover's paradise, its mountainous terrain featuring forests of bamboo and teak trees, where you'll find amazing flora and fauna, as well as a vast array of...

Thailand: Former city police chief sacked over Oct 7 crackdown.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The national police office has resolved to sack the former city police chief for his role in the violent crackdown on the People's Alliance for Democracy rally in October last year. The ruling has been handed down by...

Thailand: Train services resume after 2-week disruption.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Six rail workers fired by the State Railway of Thailand vowed to fight the allegation that they are responsible for disruption of train services in court. Meanwhile, most train services in the southern provinces have...

Thailand: Private sector seeks review of new excise system.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The trade ministry has taken for consideration the private sector's request for a revision of the new structure of excise tax collection. There are concerns the new tax structure will increase operation costs and...

Thailand: Labor Ministry plans new project to curb unemployment.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The Labor Ministry plans to launch a new project called Tonkla Kemkhaeng in December in a bid to curb unemployment. The project is a follow-up to another vocational traning project called Tonkla Archeep, which will...

Thailand: PM gives Map Ta Phut residents 15 minutes to air grievances.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has agreed to meet with representatives of Map Ta Phut villagers for 15 minutes to listen to their grievances. The group's leader said if the government continues to be indifferent to...

Thailand: PM open to talks with rail union.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The prime minister says he is ready to hold talks with the railway labor union if they will allow the strike-disrupted train services to fully resume. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said workers of the State Railway...

Thailand: Rakesh Saxena: Wizard of the 'Financial Crisis' (and Probably More).
October 30, 2009... Section: Editorial - Written by Pornchai Sereemongkonpol In anticipation of the reading of a verdict on Rakesh Saxena's extradition back to face charges in Thailand, here's a quick rundown of what happened more than a decade ago at hands of a...

Thailand: Former Public Health Minister to be released on parole.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Former public health minister Rukkiat Sukthana has been released on parole. He'll be required to report to his parole officer every 1 month. He's been convicted and jailed for taking bribes in return for procurement of...

Thailand: Bankruptcy can't deter Phichit Philanthropist.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - A wealthy Phichit woman, who has eight orphaned children under her care, has gone bankrupt but she has vowed not to give up the kids. 45-year-old Chayapim Chinpitiwong once owned a plant that assembled harvesting...

Thailand: Rail workers threaten 1-month suspension of train services.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - The State Railway of Thailand's labor union has threatened to suspend train services for 1 month if the rail agency failed to honor its demands for the trains and locomotives to under extensive maintenance and repair. ...

Thailand: PM says govt to solve political conflicts without hurting wcon.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - The premier says he will not allow political conflicts to affect the efforts to solve economic problems. He asks the public to adjust themselves to cope with changes in the future. Speaking at a seminar...

Thailand: Arrest warrants sought for masterminds of stock-pounding rumor.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Police expect arrest warrants against those involved in the rumor that plunged the Thai stock index two weeks ago to be issued next week. Deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, Police Major General...

Thailand: Finance Ministry officials to be required to report stock holding.
October 30, 2009... Section: Government & Politics - Starting next year, officials of the Finance Ministry will be required to report their shareholding to prevent any possible insider trading in a move to promote good governance. Finance Minister Korn...

Thailand: Prime minister says country needs structural reforms to enhance competitiveness.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Change essential to resurrect or maintain national competitiveness, Abhisit tells audience, The Nation reports. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva stressed again on October 29 that it was impossible for Thailand to...

Thailand: Finance minister says Don Mueng Airport mat be reopened.
October 30, 2009... Section: General News - Don Mueang Airport could be reopened to full services as a second airport in Bangkok for economic reasons, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said on October 29, The Nation reports. On the opening day of a two-day...

Thailand: Businesses prepare to profit from recovering economy.
October 30, 2009... Section: Business News - Business players are adopting strategies to cash in on the economic recovery and preparing for new challenges after the crisis, The Nation reports. Microsoft Thailand managing director Patama Chantaruck said she had...