Round up of Thailand news with AJW

TODAY

WEATHER: A cloudy and hot day with a 60 per cent chance of rain once again in Bangkok.

Temp 33°C

Euro = 39.92 THB

US = 31.84 THB

UK = 49.63 THB

TODAY

WEATHER: A cloudy and hot day with a 60 per cent chance of rain once again in Bangkok.

Temp 33°C

Euro = 39.92 THB

US = 31.84 THB

UK = 49.63 THB

CHF = 33.24 THB

AUD = 31.95 THB

SET Index

1,154 (+0.01 per cent)

A ROUNDUP OF THAILAND NEWS

[Bangkok Post]

World: Chinese taikonauts dock spacecraft. Egypt declares Islamist Morsy won presidential election. After Syria shoots down its jet, Turkey calls NATO meeting.

Bangkok: Navy says Nasa has not sent planes, equipment to U-tapao. Red shirts near 100,000 signatures on petition to oust Constitution Court judges.

A 300,00 baht cash reward will be offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of two men who killed an Australian woman in Phuket on Wednesday night.

NASA: The US request for use of U-tapao airbase for atmospheric studied may be discussed in cabinet tomorrow, Science Minister Plodprasop said.

Sunday: World – China taikonauts space docking today. Egypt anti-army protests as vote results due. Syria reshuffles govt. Israel bombs Hamas. Rio 20 ends in failure.Bangkok – Police “know identity” of Phuket killers, offer 300,000 baht for arrest. Nasa offers full access to mission, denies conspiracies.

OTHER NEWS

Perth travel agent death:

A 300,00 baht cash reward will be offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of two men who killed an Australian woman in Phuket on Wednesday night. Provincial Police Region 8, the Phuket provincial police chief and the owner of Katathani Phuket Beach Resort hotel each donated 100,000 baht towards reward, deputy national police chief Pansiri Prapawat said Saturday.

Michelle Smith, 60, of Joondalup in Western Australia, was a member of a group of travel agents visiting Phuket to inspect the resort She was stabbed to death by bag-snatchers on Wednesday night.

Smith and her friend and fellow travel agent Tammee Lynn, 42, of Attadale, also in Western Australia, were walking back to their hotel in the Karon area around 10.30pm when they were attacked.

As Smith struggled to hold on to the bag, one of the men stabbed her in the chest. She died at the scene. The men on the motorcycle fled empty-handed.

[Bkk Post]

PHUKET LATEST: Two men accused of killing Phuket tourist Michelle Smith were being flown to Phuket by helicopter this afternoon as police released security camera images of them.

Thailand’s Commander of Police was also reported to be on his way to Phuket for a media presentation of the alleged killer Surasak ”Boy” Suwannachot, 26, and and his getaway motorcycle rider, Surin Taptong, 37.

The two men are accused of the murder of Australian travel agent Mrs Smith, 60, in a bag snatch that went wrong about 10.30pm on Wednesday night outside the five-star Katathani Beach Resort in Phuket’s Kata Noi bay.

The big break came yesterday when police received a telephone call from a man who said he could identify the killers.

The man – who has not been named – told officers he met the two accused in a restaurant in Chalong, southern Phuket on Wednesday.

They offered him drugs, the informant said, but he turned them down. The accused pair headed off about 9.30pm from Chalong.

The following night, the man said, Khun Boy called to say he had knifed a tourist in an attempted bag snatch. He only discovered later from television news that the tourist had died, and at that point fled Phuket.

It is believed the Khun Boy had worked as a motorcycle mechanic on Phuket.

The informant told police that he had been watching coverage of the murder and, seeing how keen the police were to catch the men involved, had come forward to help them.

He told police that the 300,000 baht reward was not the reason why he had come forward.

”This is so bad for Phuket,” he told police. ”I don’t want these things to happen here.”

As a result of the man’s information, police arrested one suspect at 8am today and the second at 2.10pm in another province.

Police in three task forces had been sifting through security camera footage around the west coast of Phuket and had been gradually gaining clues to their identities. It was one of Phuket’s biggest manhunts.

[Phuket Wan]

Major Security Review in Thailand’s Favourite Resort: Phuket: Mrs Smith’s murder and the drowning of six tourists on Phuket beaches in five weeks sparked a top-level review of security and safety on Phuket, with all of the holiday island’s resorts being urged to improve security camera coverage.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha was joined at Provincial Hall in Phuket City by Phuket’s leading elected official, Paiboon Upatising of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, and Phuket Tourism Association leaders.

Governor Tri has to front Thailand’s powerful Senate Committee on Tourism in Bangkok tomorrow to explain the murder and the spate of drownings, which total eight in five weeks if the two deaths of Phuket tourists while whitewater rafting just off the island are included.

The largest ever crisis meeting on Phuket is planned for Wednesday with the Governor, top police, local council leaders and virtually the entire region’s tourism industry represented.

[Phuket Wan]

Historic Hotels – The Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka: Despite the claim that it’s not what it once was, this hotel remains a special place to stay. Opened in 1884, the Galle Face is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture. Unlike many other colonial hotels in the region, it has not undergone extensive renovations. Only the Regency Wing has been restored, and a spa was added in 2004. The result is a delightful authenticity throughout much of the hotel. The large, teak-floored rooms with ceiling fans and the broad veranda overlooking the sea evoke a different era. The hotel has its own living history in the form of a famously long-serving employee: Kottarapattu Chatthu Kuttan is 91 years old and has worked at the hotel since 1938.

(www.gallefacehotel.com)

Thai Banks Merge?: Thailand’s banking industry may shrink to as few as five lenders from 14 as competition and cost-cutting fuels consolidation, said Boontuck Wungcharoen, chief executive officer of TMB Bank Pcl. (TMB)

“Thailand has too many banks for the size of the market,” Boontuck, 55, said in a June 22 interview in his office in Bangkok. “The country should probably have five or six strong banks, so I think you will see consolidation over the next five years.” TMB is 26 percent owned by the Ministry of Finance.

Thailand nationalized more than half of its commercial banks during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and has since sold controlling stakes in some lenders to help repay the cost of the bailouts. Bangkok-based TMB, the country’s seventh-biggest traded lender by assets, raised $1.1 billion in 2007 by selling shares to investors including UBS AG and ING Groep NV, which owns 30 percent of the bank.

“In a lot of markets the regulator is the main obstacle to consolidation, which isn’t the case in Thailand,” said Daniel Fineman, Credit Suisse Group AG’s Thailand research head. “The Bank of Thailand in its master plan said it would like to see fewer banks.”

Thailand’s three biggest lenders by market value, Siam Commercial Bank Pcl (SCB), Kasikornbank Pcl (KBANK) and Bangkok Bank Pcl (BBL), account for almost 69 percent of the 11-member SET Bank Index, which has climbed 19 percent this year, compared with a 13 percent advance for Thailand’s benchmark SET Index.

[Bloomberg]

Football Euro 2012: Ashley Cole misses penalty, sending England out, Italy through after scorless 120 minutes.

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

TODAY

WEATHER: Hot (33C), cloudy, and 60 percent chance of a wet day once again in Bangkok

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.99 THB
US = 31.56 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.29 THB
AUD = 32.15 THB

TODAY

WEATHER: Hot (33C), cloudy, and 60 percent chance of a wet day once again in Bangkok

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.99 THB
US = 31.56 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.29 THB
AUD = 32.15 THB

SET Index
1,173 (+0.01 percent)

TODAY

Temp 33C

Euro = 39.91 THB
US = 31.80 THB
UK = 49.61 THB
CHF = 33.23 THB
AUD = 31.97 THB

SET Index
1,159 (-1.21 percent)

ROUND UP OF THAILAND’S NEWS

(Bangkok Post)

– World: Bali bomb maker, Umar Patek, gets 20 years. Syria MIG pilot defects. Egypt tense as election results delayed. After judicial coup, Pakistan selects new PM.

– Bangkok: Nasa gives Tuesday deadline for use of U-tapao. Two Portuguese men sought in Phi Phi sisters case. Yingluck wants Aids under healthcare.

– TG: Former THAI President, Piyasvasti Amranand, filed a lawsuit against THAI board with the Central Labour Court for unfair termination of his employment contract.

– Nasa: Nasa said it would withdraw it’s request for use of U-tapao air base if by June 26 Thailand cannot yet give it an answer, FM Surapong Tovichakchaikul said.

– Health Care: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has backed a proposal to merge medical benefits for last-stage HIV/Aids and chronic kidney disease patients under three healthcare schemes.

The nation’s three main healthcare schemes, the Civil Servant’s Welfare Fund (CSWF) for civil servants and their family members, the Social Security Fund (SSF) for employees within the private sector, and the Universal Healthcare Scheme (UHS) for people who are not entitled to the CSWF and the SSF, are prepared to carry out their work to the same standard.

In Thailand, there are 38,780 patients in the last stage of chronic kidney disease. Of them, 20,077 patients seek treatment under the UHS (known as the 30-baht healthcare scheme), 9,193 patients are under the SSF, and the rest seek treatment under the CSWF.

There are 225,272 HIV/Aids patients receiving anti-Aids drugs. Of these, 148,357 patients seek treatment under the 30-baht healthcare scheme, 46,114 patients are under the SSF, 12,059 patients come under the CSWF; and the remaining HIV-Aids patients seek treatment under other healthcare schemes, the Minister said.

OTHER NEWS

– Perth travel agent death: The owner of the resort where a travel agent guest was stabbed in the heart in the street outside, called today on all Phuket resort owners to help restore Phuket’s reputation as a safe destination.

Sombut Atiset, who owns the popular five-star Katathani Beach Resort, told a media conference that Phuket’s undermanned police force needed all the help they could muster.

“We must catch these men. I am prepared to pay for witnesses to fly back from Australia to Phuket if it will help to convict these evil killers,” he said.

Perth travel agent, Michelle Smith, walking back to the resort from dinner, was cut in the heart at 10.30 pm by a pair of bag-snatching motorcycle riders who sped off empty handed and left her dying in the street.

Mr. Sombut said his resort, which is one of the most popular on Phuket, with occupancy usually above 90 percent, had 110 security cameras on the inside and 8 more covering the road outside.

The resort also employs 23 security guards. Mr. Sombut, who rushed to the resort to see for himself when tragedy arrived, said Phuket resort owners needed genuine security guards, not people just filling a uniform.

The passing of the Australian travel agent has sent shockwaves through the entire island of Phuket and the travel industry. The Tourism Authority Thailand is in “deep shock and regret” following the death of an Australian travel agent in Phuket, a spokesman said.

Public Relations Manager, Pongsak Kanittanon, said that the tourist bureau considers agents its “closest friends” and will “try their best” to locate and arrest the two attackers.

In a related incident, a British tourist has told of being stabbed in Phuket the same night as Michelle Smith, an Australian woman, who died.

The man, who gave his name as Mohamad Zubair Edwa, 37, but is also believed to use the name Edward Wright, was grimacing in pain today in Phuket International Hospital as he told how three men on a motorbike confronted him, and one stabbed him in the side.
(Phuket Wan)

– Banks downgrade: Credit Suisse credit rating was cut three levels by Moody’s Investors Service, Morgan Stanley was reduced two levels, and 13 other banks were downgraded in moves that may shake up competition among Wall Street’s biggest firms.

Credit Suisse and UBS were lower by two levels also.

“All of the banks affected by today’s actions have significant exposure to the volatility and risk of outsized losses inherent to capital-markets activities,” Moody’s Global Banking Managing Director, Greg Bauer, said today in a statement.
(Bloomberg)

– Phi Phi Deaths: Police are looking for two Portuguese men last seen with the two holidaying Canadian sisters who died under mysterious circumstances at a hotel on Koh Phi Phi off Krabi province last week.

The men are believed to hold clues about the women’s deaths.

Investigators yesterday checked CCTV footage from cameras at Phi Phi Palms Residence Hotel.

The footage, recorded between 1:10 am and 1:14 am on June 13, captured a male foreigner escorting the sisters back to their hotel room. A source close to the police investigation said the man was identified as Luciano Tinto, a 30-year-old Portuguese.

The man and his friend of the same nationality stayed at the same hotel as the sisters.

Before they were found dead, the two sisters were spotted with the two men at night entertainment venues on Phi Phi island.

Noemi Belanger, 26, and Audrey Belanger, 20, checked into the hotel in tambon Ao Nang of Muang district on June 13 and were found dead in their room on June 15.

The two Portuguese men checked out of the hotel and headed to Phuket on the same day the two Canadians died.
(Bkk Post)

– Football Euro 2012: Results: Portugal 1-0 Czech Republic. Tonight’s match: Germany vs Greece.

Portugese fans hoping for a Cristiano Ronaldo roadshow had their appetite satisfied as he single-handedly steered his country into the Euro 2012 semi-finals by beating the Czech Republic 1-0.

– Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai on Thursday admitted that he should have awarded a goal to Ukraine in their final Euro 2012 match against England and apologized for his mistake.

– Star Alliance: Avianca and TACA Airlines announced their official entry into Star Alliance. The airline network is the world’s largest in terms of daily flights, route network, service excellence, and number of airline members.

After two years of work in the approval process and with the adoption of the highest standards of operation and service, Avianca and TACA Airlines now offer passengers the opportunity to access this global network, which brings together 28 internationally-renowned airlines.

Star Alliance, with 15 years of experience (since 1997) is recognized as the first truly global airline alliance. Consistent with its goal of offering customers worldwide the largest number of destinations and a great travel experience, it now offers exclusive services and assistance to frequent flyers in 990 airport lounges on all 5 continents. It has the support of nearly half a million employees in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

The Alliance transports an average of 650 million passengers per year and has sales revenues of US$160 bn.

The combined Star Alliance network will provide Avianca and TACA Airlines an opportunity to strengthen their presence in Latin America and the Caribbean in general. Passengers of the global network can quickly and seamlessly fly to over 50 destinations in the region through Avianca and TACA Airlines Hubs in Bogota (Colombia), San Salvador (El Salvador), Lima (Peru), and San Jose (Costa Rica).

The member airlines of Star Alliance are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, AviancaTaca, Blue1, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United, and U.S. Airways.

EVA Air and Shenzhen Airlines have been announced as future members. In total, the Star Alliance network offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 181 countries.
(Market Watch)

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

TODAY

WEATHER: Hot, cloudy and 60 percent chance of a wet day once again in Bangkok.

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.99 THB
US = 31.56 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.29 THB
AUD = 32.15 THB

SET Index

TODAY

WEATHER: Hot, cloudy and 60 percent chance of a wet day once again in Bangkok.

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.99 THB
US = 31.56 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.29 THB
AUD = 32.15 THB

SET Index
1,173 (+0.01 percent)

YESTERDAY

Temp 33C

Euro = 39.91 THB
US = 31.50 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.24 THB
AUD = 32.07 THB

SET Index
1,171 (-0.19%)

A ROUND UP OF THAILAND’S NEWS

(Bangkok Post)

– World: Myanmar eases economy controls. Mubarak on life support. Egypt anti-military rally demands Muslim Brotherhood victory. Wikileaks Assange flees to asylum.

– Bangkok: Airports of Thailand on major campaign to attract flights to Don Mueang. Science minister says Democrats approved Nasa flights in 2010.

– Don Mueang: The Airports of Thailand Plc board has approved massive discounts on airport fees in a move to attract airlines to Don Mueang airport.

AoT Chairman ACM Sumet Photimanee yesterday said the discounts, backed yesterday, would be huge in the first two months and become gradually smaller over three years.

From August 1 to September 30, when runways at the six-year-old Suvarnabhumi airport will be repaired, 95 percent discounts will be available for take-off, landing and hangar fees at Don Mueang.

The AoT cChairman said Don Mueang could handle 36.5 million passengers annually.

Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said 14 commercial and chartered airlines had agreed to move to Don Mueang. He had asked the cabinet to adopt the resolution to ensure that the use of Don Mueang would be permanent.

“Today it has been clearly concluded that the single-airport policy has changed to a dual-airport one,” Mr. Jarupong said.

He said the relocation incentives target low-cost carriers like Thai AirAsia which operate more than 100 flights per day. Their relocation will greatly relieve congestion at Suvarnabhumi, where an expansion project will take 5 years and 10 months to complete.

Suvarnabhumi is designed to handle 45 million passengers yearly, but its volume has already reached 47 million and is forecast to soar past 51 million.

AoT President Anirut Thanomkulbutra said if all 14 airlines move to Don Mueang, the airport would serve 14 million passengers yearly. This figure would include 3 million passengers of Nok Air, which has been the sole scheduled carrier operating at Don Mueang since the airport resumed operations in March after being shut down in October last year by the disastrous floods. AoT is optimistic it can clinch a deal with Thai AirAsia, Thailand’s largest low-cost carrier, within the next few weeks. Thai AirAsia is the main target for relocation due to the magnitude of its traffic, with a projected 8 million passengers this year.

All international airlines operating under the low-fare model, including Airberlin, Jetstar Cebu, Jin Air, Indigo and Orient Thai, will be asked to shift to Don Mueang. If all agree, they would take away about 10 million passengers a year under the current estimate.

– PM Birthday: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this morning made merit at her Bangkok residence in Soi Yothin Pattana 3 on the occasion of her 45th birthday.

OTHER NEWS

– Starwood in China: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that it has reached a historic milestone with 103 hotels open and in operation and now another 100 signed hotel deals in the pipeline for Greater China, Starwood’s second largest market outside of the United States. The announcement was made as part of celebrations at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel on the heels of Starwood’s Asia Pacific Investor Day.

“Our celebration of our more than 100 hotels in operation and 100 hotels in the pipeline marks another significant milestone for Starwood’s growth and development in China as we double our footprint in the region,” said Vasant Prabhu, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Our success in China reflects our first mover advantage, the strength of our brands, and the entrusted partnerships we have fostered with our developers, partners, and guests since our first landmark debut with The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing in 1985”

Starwood has already opened 11 hotels in China in 2012 and expects to open another 13 hotels by year’s end.
(PRN)

– TG B-747 on Sale: Prices for Boeing 747-400s, the most popular wide-body plane, are tumbling as carriers rush to replace what were once their flagship aircraft with newer and more fuel-efficient models. Thai Airways is in the process of selling 4 747-400s and it will begin phasing out the model next year, said outgoing Chief Executive Officer Piyasvasti Amranand.
(Bloomberg)

– Phi Phi Deaths: Autopsies have been performed on two Canadian sisters who died in mysterious circumstances on the holiday island of Phi Phi last week.

Police investigating the case on Phi Phi found no evidence of murder, but personal items and ‘”Ibuprofen tablets of 400 grams”‘ were found.

Officials in Thailand are concerned that failure to determine the cause of death in the case of the Belanger sisters could seriously affect tourism.

Various theories have been put forward about what might have killed the sisters, who appeared to have suffered a violent reaction to some kind of toxic substance.

Doctors have suggested that there is not enough evidence to support any of the theories, and that only the autopsies can provide answers.
(Phuket Wan)

– Bare Breasts fine: Channel 3 operator Bangkok Entertainment Company has been fined 500,000 baht by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission for allowing a female contestant to paint on canvas with her bare breasts on the Sunday episode of its prime-time show “Thailand’s Got Talent.”
(Nation)

– Football Euro 2012: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has renewed his call for the introduction of goal-line technology after a controversial incident in England’s 1-0 win over Ukraine helped eliminate the co-hosts. Marko Devic’s shot crossed the line in the game in Donetsk but was not given.
(BBC)

– Food Thursday – Pad Thai: This Pad Thai recipe is how you actually find it in Bangkok and comes from testing hundreds of different variations from all over the city.

Start with soaking the dry noodles in lukewarm or room temperature water while preparing the other ingredients. Getting the noodles just right is the trickiest part of making Pad Thai. By the time you are ready to put the ingredients in the pan, the noodles should be flexible but not mushy.

2-3 Servings, Prep Time: 40 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 egg
4 teaspoons fish sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground dried chili pepper
ground pepper
1/2 lime
1 minced shallot
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon tamarind paste
2 tablespoons preserved turnip
1/2 package Thai rice noodles
1/3 cup extra firm tofu
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2-1/4 lb. shrimp, optional
1/2 banana flower, optional
1-1/3 cup bean sprouts, optional
1-1/2 cup Chinese chives, optional
2 tablespoons peanuts, optional

Julienne tofu and cut into 1-inch long matchsticks. When cut, the super firm tofu/pressed tofu should have a mozzarella cheese consistency. You can fry the tofu separately until golden brown and hard, or you can fry with other ingredients below. Cut the Chinese chives into 1-inch long pieces. Set aside a few fresh chives for a garnish. Rinse the bean sprouts and save half for serving fresh. Mince shallot and garlic together.

Use a wok. If you do not have a wok, any big pot will do. Heat it up on high heat and pour oil in the wok. Fry the peanuts until toasted and remove them from the wok. The peanuts can be toasted in the pan without oil as well. Add shallot, preserved turnip, garlic, and tofu and stir them until they start to brown. The noodles should be flexible but not expanded at this point. Drain the noodles and add to the wok. Stir quickly to keep things from sticking. Add tamarind, sugar, fish sauce and chili pepper. Stir. The heat should remain high. If your wok is not hot enough, you will see a lot of juice in the wok at this point. Turn up the heat, if it is the case.

Make room for the egg by pushing all noodles to the side of the wok. Crack the egg onto the wok and scramble it until it is almost all cooked. Fold the egg into the noodles. The noodles should be soft and chewy. Pull a strand out and taste. If the noodles are too hard (not cooked), add a little bit of water. When you get the right taste, add shrimp and stir. Sprinkle white pepper around. Add bean sprouts and chives. Stir a few more times. The noodles should be soft, dry and very tangled.

Pour onto the serving plate and sprinkle with ground pepper and peanuts. Serve hot with the banana flower slice, a wedge of lime on the side, raw Chinese chives ,and raw bean sprouts on top.

As always, in Thailand, condiments such as sugar, chili pepper, vinegar, and fish sauce are available at your table for your personal taste.

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

TODAY

WEATHER: A hot, cloudy and wet day once again in Bangkok.

Temp 33C

Euro = 39.91 THB
US = 31.50 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.24 THB
AUD = 32.07 THB

SET Index

TODAY

WEATHER: A hot, cloudy and wet day once again in Bangkok.

Temp 33C

Euro = 39.91 THB
US = 31.50 THB
UK = 49.54 THB
CHF = 33.24 THB
AUD = 32.07 THB

SET Index
1,171 (-0.19 percent)

YESTERDAY

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.63 THB
US = 31.46 THB
UK = 49.35 THB
CHF = 32.99 THB
AUD = 31.83 THB

SET Index
1,163 (-0.20 percent)

A ROUND UP OF THAILAND’S NEWS

(Bangkok Post)

– World: Anti-army demo in Egypt. Obama unable to move Russia, China on Syria. UK stops, turns around Syria-bound Russian ship. Judicial coup ousts Pakistan PM.

– Bangkok: Yingluck says committee will study US request for U-tapao. “Talent” exec. admits producer approached painter, denies she received payment.

– LCC: The cabinet approved a plan to fully reactivate Don Mueang airport for low-cost airlines and relieve congestion at Suvarnabhumi airport.

– U-tapao Airport: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has denied that the absence of the United States’ request to use U-tapao airport from the cabinet agenda Tuesday was a sign the government was backing away from the plan. The US has asked to use U-tapao, in Rayong province, to conduct a regional climate study by Nasa between August and September.

OTHER NEWS

– Falklands: The dispute over the Falklands Islands reached the G-20 summit in Mexico on Tuesday when the leaders of Britain and Argentina had an uncomfortable talk on the conference’s sidelines.

British Prime Minister David Cameron approached Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to talk about banking reform, and during the conversation asked her to respect the view of islanders, said Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman.

Fernandez responded by trying to hand Cameron an envelope with UN resolutions that called for Argentine-British dialogue over the Falklands Islands. But Cameron “refused to take the envelope, turned around, and walked off,” Timerman said.
(ABC)

– Top 20 cities:The MasterCard index report analyzes visitor traffic and cross-border travel spend in 132 major cities worldwide.

The UK capital city of London once again emerged victorious by securing global dominance in the global index survey, by being voted the world’s top destination for the second year running. Making up the other places in the top 10 were Paris, Bangkok, Singapore, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Madrid, Dubai, Frankfurt, and Kuala Lumpur, with the cities of Seoul, Rome, New York, Shanghai, Barcelona, Milan, Amsterdam, Vienna, Beijing, and Taipei completing positions 11 to 20, respectively.
(MC)

– Mubarak: Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, 84, has reportedly suffered a stroke in prison and is reportedly “clinically dead,” according to sources.
(Telegraph)

– Phi Phi Deaths:The Canadian embassy in Bangkok has asked authorities to delay autopsies on the bodies of two Canadian sisters who died under mysterious circumstances on Koh Phi Phi last week until their relatives fly into the country.

The tourists died in an unusual manner and the post-mortems would be comprehensive and cover all possible causes of death.

Officials found bleeding under the sisters’ nails, in the whites of their eyes, and in their cheeks.

Officials of the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Bureau of Epidemiology have collected samples of suspicious substances on the island to help determine the cause of death.

Forensic experts reported that both women had suffered severe vomiting and diarrhea before they died. They said there were many possible causes of death including exposure to pesticide or arsenic mixed with a narcotic.

Dr. Paijit Warachit, permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said provincial health officials, especially those in popular tourist destinations, have been ordered to check food safety in their jurisdictions.

– Football Euro 2012 results: England 1-0 Ukraine, Sweden 2-0 France. Knock-out matches: France vs. Spain on Saturday and England vs. Italy on Sunday.

Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to fire England to the top of Group D and into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 as a 1-0 victory over Ukraine set up a date with Italy on Sunday.
(Goal)

– Australia: TOURISM Australia will up the ante in Indonesia by establishing a physical presence in the market by year-end and by spending significantly more money on wooing Indonesian visitors.

According to Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy, strong efforts would continue to be expended in the mature markets of Singapore and Malaysia, but an increased focus would be placed on Indonesia, the second fastest-growing source of arrivals for the country after China.

“Indonesia is a strong market for Australia. We have good aviation access and Jakarta has a lucrative middle class,” said McEvoy, adding that the marketing budget set aside for Indonesia in the 2012/2013 financial year was 150 percent more compared to the year before.

He explained that while the first creative was responsible for launching the campaign and bringing the Australian personality to life, the second was more emotional and projected “a sophisticated image.”

Similar to when the campaign was first introduced in 2010, customizable tools such as widgets will be offered to travel consultants, allowing them to list relevant packages alongside pre-loaded featured experiences ranging from indigenous tourism to food and wine. Aussie Specialists with Facebook pages can also pull content from Tourism Australia’s online repository.

Maggie White, Tourism Australia Regional General Manager, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf, said that in a market with high repeats like Singapore, the NTO needed to continue to “give new news,” and that the current campaign was a good platform to do so.

Meanwhile, McEvoy let on that marketing spend on mainstream versus digital media was now 50:50, compared to 80:20 five years ago. He added that the ongoing campaign features a strong social media element, which attempts to harness the power of “Facebook jealousy” among travelers.
(TTG)

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

TODAY

WEATHER: A hot partly cloudy day in Bangkok. A 60 percent chance of rain in the late afternoon.

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.63 THB
USD = 31.46 THB
UK = 49.35 THB

TODAY

WEATHER: A hot partly cloudy day in Bangkok. A 60 percent chance of rain in the late afternoon.

Temp 32C

Euro = 39.63 THB
USD = 31.46 THB
UK = 49.35 THB
CHF = 32.99 THB
AUD = 31.83 THB

SET Index:
1,163 (-0.20 percent)

YESTERDAY

Temp 31C

Euro = 40.07 THB
US = 31.53 THB
UK = 49.55 THB
CHF = 33.35 THB
AUD = 31.89 THB

SET Index:
1,166 (+1.10 percent)

ROUND UP OF THAILAND’S NEWS:

(Bangkok Post)

– World: China space dock success. Egypt army gives itself new powers. Greece to form coalition. 2-day Iran nuke talks begin. Al-Qaeda kills top Yemen general.

– Bangkok: Breastless in Bangkok, the follow-up. Suthep insists Thaksin sent envoys, won’t name them. Cabinet to approve US presence at U-tapao today.

– Thai politics: Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday confirmed that Suthep Thaugsuban was approached by representatives of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr. Suthep said the man who came calling on Thaksin’s behalf also said the Democrats could select whatever ministries they would like to control in a two-party government, without any conditions. Pheu Thai spokesman, Prompong Nopparit, yesterday called on Mr. Suthep to disclose the names of the go-between or face a defamation suit.

“He must identify those people or he is nothing but a liar,” said Mr. Suthep.

He said the party would collect information and file a defamation suit against Mr. Suthep.

He also insisted Mr. Suthep and Mr. Abhisit wanted to drive a wedge between the Pheu Thai and the Red Shirts.

– Nudity: The Culture Ministry will summon the host of Thailand’s Got Talent for questioning after the program broadcast a female contestant painting on a canvas with her bare breasts, drawing strong criticism from the public.

– Google: Google says the Thai government has asked it to remove 149 YouTube VDOs for allegedly insulting the monarchy, and restricts 70 percent of the VDOs from view online.

OTHER NEWS

– Bangkok City: According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index released today, cities in Asia Pacific continued their ascendance as global destinations in 2012, with nearly half of the world’s top 20 cities by visitor arrivals and expenditure heralding from the region.

The MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks cities in terms of the number of their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by these same visitors in the destination cities, and gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts for 2012.

The Index projects sustained growth among emerging market cities with the top ten Asia Pacific destinations expecting a 9.5 percent growth in visitor arrivals for 2012 and a 15.3 percent surge in cross-border spending. Singapore (4th), Hong Kong (6th), and Kuala Lumpur (10th) feature in the Index’s top ten global cities.

Cities in the Asia Pacific once again led the charge globally with 8 of the top 20 cities by international arrivals, with Bangkok ranked third globally with projected visitors to top 12.2 million visitors this year. Singapore was in fourth place with 11.8 million visitors, with Hong Kong sixth with 11.1 million visitors. Kuala Lumpur ranked 10th with 8.1 million visitors expected.

The region also ranked highly on visitor spending with Bangkok ranked third globally with US$19.3 billion expected to be spent by inbound passengers in 2012, a 16.6 percent jump from last year. Singapore leapt 2 places to fifth overall with US$12.7 billion, up 12.7 percent on last year. Seoul moved into the top 10 with US$10.6 billion in cross-border spend, an increase of 16.2 percent, while Tokyo, still recovering from the triple disasters of 2011 moved up 4 places to 14th, is officially the world’s third-fastest growing market (24.2 percent) in terms of cross-border spending.

Arrivals for Thailand as a whole are expected to exceed 20+ million in 2012.

(Asia Travel Tips)

– Eurozone: G-20 leaders focused their response to Europe’s financial crisis on stabilizing the region’s banks, raising pressure on the German Chancellor to expand rescue measures as contagion engulfed Spain.

G-20 chiefs met as Spain’s borrowing costs soared to a euro-era record and elections in Greece failed to dampen the threat of contagion. Angela Merkel, who heads Europe’s largest economy and rejects pooling euro-area debt or boosting deficit spending, said she’ll defend her policies with “good arguments” as world leaders press Europe to stamp out the debt crisis now in its third year. Obama has blamed the crisis for slowing US employment growth.
(Bloomberg)

– Football Euro 2012 results: Spain 1-0 Croatia, Italy 2-0 Ireland. Tonight (Wednesday morning at 1:45 am Bkk time) matches: England vs. Ukraine and France vs. Sweden.

Match reports – Spain eliminated Croatia 1-0 while Italy defeated Ireland 2-0, sending the winners into the quarter-finals of Euro 2012. Croatia held the Spaniards for 87 minutes before Jesus Navas headed in a pass. Italy was not convincing but managed a win over hapless Ireland.
(Agencies)

– Phi Phi Canadian Sisters Deaths: For the first time, Dr.Duangporn Paothong of Phi Phi Hospital talked publicly about what she found when she was called to the room at the Palms Residence Phi Phi immediately after a maid discovered the bodies on Friday.

Dr. Duangporn said that she had “never seen a case like it.”

“Both bodies had the same characteristics,” she said, “There was a lot of vomit in a wastepaper basket.

“There was blood under their skin, under their tongues, and under their eyes. Their fingernails had turned green or purple.”

Dr. Duangporn did not mention food poisoning, blowfish, or any other potential killer. “As for the cause of death, it’s impossible to know at this stage,” she said, “there just isn’t enough information.”

Thai toxicologists were returning to Phi Phi today to more closely examine the room at the Palms Residence Phi Phi, although other sources said it had been thoroughly cleaned.

It is believed the same team who closely examined the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai after the deaths of Sara Carter and several other tourists last year in mysterious, undetermined circumstances is now involved in the latest investigation.

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

WEATHER

A hot partly-cloudy day in Bangkok. A 50 percent chance of rain in the late afternoon.
31C
HOT CLOUDY RAIN

TODAY
Euro = 40.07 THB

WEATHER

A hot partly-cloudy day in Bangkok. A 50 percent chance of rain in the late afternoon.
31C
HOT CLOUDY RAIN

TODAY
Euro = 40.07 THB
US$ = 31.53 THB
UK£ = 49.55 THB
CHF = 33.35 THB
AUD = 31.89 THB

SET Index
1,166 (+1.10 percent)

A ROUND UP OF THAILAND’S NEWS

[Bangkok Post]

– World: Pro-bailout party wins Greece election. Rodney King dies, whose beating started 1991 LA riots. UK organizers in Olympics black market ticket scandal.

– Bangkok: Thaksin won’t return “until reconciliation” bills are passed. Pheu Thai landslide in Udon Thani. Map Ta Phut residents demand safety laws.

– Thai politics: The majority of people in the provinces hit by floods last year say that they expect to be flooded again this year and say it is now time for a cabinet reshuffle, according to a recent Abac Poll.

– Thaksin said to Japanese media his chance of returning to Thailand lies with the reconciliation bills, which are now with the House of Representatives, reports said.

– “We have successfully overthrown three prime ministers, which proves our track record is excellent,” said Chamlong Srimuang, co-leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, whose yellow-clad members shut down Bangkok’s international airport in 2008, “We have the ability to overthrow another government again if need be.”

– Sunday: Suu Kyi finally got her Nobel. Now, regulators blame Grammy for Euro no-show. China launches female taikonaut. Saudi crown prince dies. UN stops Syria “peace” mission. Drought hits North Korea. Greece knocks Russia out of Euro 2012.

OTHER NEWS

– Phuket-Canadian sisters deaths: The mystery or how and why Audrey Belanger, 20, and her sister Noemi, 26, died, represents another chapter in this romantic holiday island’s recent history.

In 2009, two other young women, Jill St. Onge, 27, an American, and Julie Bergheim, 22, a Norwegian, died on Phi Phi in similarly mysterious circumstances.

Ollie, a young British resident of Phi Phi, said he had seen into the room where the young women died. His room at a nearby resort overlooks the Palms Residence Phi Phi, where the women died in a ground-floor room.

A law student, he said he watched with some alarm as the bodies, which he said were garishly akimbo when he first saw them, were taken away and the room spotlessly cleaned.

A large number of the young people we encountered seemed to be suffering from hangovers of one kind or another. It’s certainly true that Phi Phi, as TripAdvisor suggests, deserves the title of the world’s no. 1 must-see island.

Whether toxicology samples were taken beforehand won’t be known until later. But we did see police leaving the Palms Residence Phi Phi today with a clear plastic bag of items.

These appeared to include a headphone set, some pills and medication, and some other material that wasn’t plain to us.

We were told that as well as talking to staff at the resort today, the police also interviewed a local doctor who was the first medical person on the scene.

The bodies did not go to the Phi Phi Hospital. They were taken straight off the island to mainland Thailand, where they were in Krabi Hospital today but likely to be sent for autopsy soon to facilities in Bangkok or another province, Songkhla.

The odor of sewage on the loose is not hard to find. This week the island is probably still suffering the aftermath of a monsoon downpour that swamped the entire region a little while back, a deluge on a scale seldom experienced.

Would Phi Phi’s bad water and sewage disposal system have stood up to such an unusual torrent? We think not.

There’s always the chance that Phi Phi’s lack of proper infrastructure had something to do with the deaths of the Canadians.

Back in 2009, when a couple of other young women took sick on Phi Phi and died in mysterious circumstances, all the theories about chemicals, gasses, and food poisoning were suggested.

It is to be hoped the Canadian authorities charged with investigating this case, along with the Thai police, are aware of the need for a result and consider the option of flying the sisters’ bodies back to Canada for a thorough second autopsy, should a cause of death not emerge soon.

Paradise regained is what we’d all like to see.

Give us not only an end to the black dirty water but also a conclusion to not knowing what killed two more vibrant young women on Phi Phi.
[Phuket Wan]

– young residents were found dead on Phi Phi in southern Thailand. Uncle Eric Belanger said: ”We’re still waiting to hear back from a specialist who was sent to analyze the bodies, and (the media) are already telling us they were poisoned.”
[Quebec Sun]

– Canadian Embassy officials had arrived at Krabi Hospital to talk to the authorities about the pathology tests. Health authorities would not issue any health advisory to tourists and residents until they received more information.
[Bkk Post]

– LA: Rodney King, whose beating by police in 1992 sparked the LA race riots, has been found dead in his swimming pool. He was 47.
[AFP]

– Football Euro 2012 results: Greece 1-0 Russia, Czech Republic 1-0 Poland. Denmark 1-2 Germany, Portugal 2-1 Netherlands. Tonight’s matches: Croatia vs. Spain and Italy vs. Ireland.

Match reports: Portugal overcame an early spurt by the Netherlands while Germany tamed Denmark, both winning by 2-1 scores and advancing to the final eight of Euro 2012. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to lead Portugal into the quarter-finals and send the Netherlands home. Germany finished with a perfect record in the three-match qualifiers, and now face Greece to try to advance to the semi-finals.
[Agencies]

– Eurozone: The euro strengthened while US and Asian equity futures rose as projections showed politicians that support Greece’s bailout won enough seats to control parliament, easing concern the currency bloc would lose one of its 17 members. Oil rallied. The euro increased 0.6 percent to $1.2717.

The euro extended last week’s 1 percent jump against the dollar, and US stocks were poised to add to a weekly rally, as the New Democracy and Pasok parties took 162 seats in the 300-member parliament, according to the official projections in Athens based on 95 percent of the votes. The results eased concern that Alex Tsipras’s Syriza party would take control of the Greek government and reject austerity measures needed to qualify for international aid.

The vote forced Greeks, in a fifth year of recession, to choose open-ended austerity to stay in the euro or reject the terms of a bailout and risk the turmoil of exiting the 17-nation currency. The election threatened to dominate the summit of world leaders in Mexico.

Leaders from the Group of 20 nations will boost the $430 billion firewall the IMF announced in April, host President Felipe Calderon said. European governments indicated a willingness to adjust the terms of Greece’s bailout package as long as a new government “swiftly” emerges from a closely fought election.

Greece was left with a political stalemate after the previous election on May 6. Since that vote, the euro weakened 4.8 percent against the yen and lost 3.4 percent versus the dollar through last week as investors sought havens from the turmoil. The crisis escalated on June 9 when Spain asked for a bailout of as much as 100 billion-euro ($127 billion) to prop up its banks.
[Bloomberg]

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

Thailand inflation worries.

Thailand inflation worries.

•Comment: Public surveys show that inflation perceptions have definitely risen in recent months, in part due to higher energy prices, seasonal factors affecting food prices and price hikes by manufacturers.

Business leaders say government policies to push up wages and allow electricity and utility prices to rise have squeezed profit margins and will lead to higher prices over the coming months.

Energy regulators recently announced that household electricity rates would rise 7% to 8% starting this month to reflect higher energy prices.

Energy Minister Arak Chonlatanon also warned on Monday that cooking gas prices could go up starting in the fourth quarter under a policy to reduce state subsidies that have kept local gas prices well below global prices.

But Mr Kittiratt yesterday insisted the government remains committed to maintaining price supports for household gas users. “As far as industrial gas users go, the government will continue with its plan to float prices,” he said.

But opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said allowing gas prices to rise would only increase the burden on the public from rising living costs.

“If the government continues to pursue misguided policies, not only will public suffering increase, but so will inflation and confidence in the country’s economic stability will decline,” he said.

Wage hikes have had little real impact, Mr Abhisit said, as living expenses have increased more than salaries.

Public discontent over rising living costs led Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday to call a meeting with Mr Kittiratt, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and other officials to discuss inflation trends.
[Bkk Post]

TODAY

•WEATHER: A very hot day in Bangkok.

Temp 38°C
€uro = 40.64 THB
US$ = 30.73 THB
UK£ = 49.87 THB
CHF = 33.81 THB
AUD = 31.78 THB

SET Index
1,235 (+0.5%)

TODAY’S WEATHER SUMMARY

38°C ☀☁
VERY HOT

A round up of Thailand’s news:

[Bangkok Post]

•World: UN chief meets Suu Kyi. Obama visits Afghanistan on bin Laden death anniversary. Obama defends drones. Hillary to Beijing in midst of dissident crisis.

•Bangkok: Government claims inflation “acceptable”, some prices falling. Yongyuth says some of banned 111 will likely be appointed to government.

•The cabinet meeting yesterday agreed to extend the policy of limited free third-class train and bus rides for another six months, until Oct 31, reports said.

•A total of 48 provinces were declared drought hit areas, affecting people in 32,100 villages, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.

•Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has hinted that the Pheu Thai Party may take in the 111 banned politicians of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. The five-year ban on the former executives expires at the end of this month and some analysts believe they might replace current cabinet members. Mr Yongyuth, who is the Pheu Thai leader, said yesterday that anyone who wants to join the party must be capable, no matter whether they are among the 111 banned politicians or not. He said the authority to decide on a cabinet reshuffle rests solely with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the party’s executives have already given her a free hand in the matter.

•Two soldiers were killed and six others injured by the explosion of a motorcycle bomb in Pattani’s Mae Lan.

•”Inflationary pressures have shown signs of easing, and prices for many goods have decreased compared with last year. It shows government policies have had a positive impact,” Kittiratt Na-Ranong, a deputy prime minister and finance minister, said yesterday. Policymakers pointed to the latest inflation figures as evidence. The Commerce Ministry yesterday announced that inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, rose 2.47% in April from the year before, a sharp decrease from the 3.45% year-on-year rise recorded the previous month.

•Panthongtae Shinawatra, Thaksin’s son, yesterday posted on his Facebook page a picture of his father watching Manchester City, which Thaksin once owned, play Manchester United on Monday night. Mr Panthongtae thanked Manchester City supporters for giving his father a warm welcome.

Other news:

•Airlines: Shares of budget carrier AirAsia and state-owned Malaysia Airlines will be suspended from trading to allow the firms to scrap their controversial share swap deal, a top airline official said. The deal sparked opposition from the powerful 15,000-member Malaysia Airlines union, with fears the alliance would result in the downsizing of their loss-making carrier.
[afp]

•Travel from the Gulf states to Thailand is expected to increase by 10 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, said a top official. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor for international marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, was speaking at a pre-Arabian Travel Market gathering of Thai and local UAE travel industry representatives at the Dusit Thani Hotel Dubai.
[Arabia]

•Asiatique Riverfront officially opened last Friday in BANGKOK after a five month fine tune at the prime property site on banks of the Chao Phraya River. It adds another complex of shops, pubs, movie theatres that have sprung up in almost every city district, but this claims to be different as it is the only one located riverside with the look of a western or American up-scale riverbank develoent in Charoen Krung district with 1,500 souvenir shops, home decoration stores and fashions and accessories shops, two theaters with 400 seats each. One of them will be new home for the Joe Louis Theatre puppet show and trans gender Calypso Cabaret.
[TTR Weekly]

•Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish criticised his players’ attitude after a much-changed side lost 1-0 at home to Fulham but also questioned his own decision-making. With Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea in mind the Scot made nine changes.
[Sporting Life]

•One of the main events of Brighton Fringe (UK) has been the exciting, fascinating and occasionally outrageous show by The Ladyboys of Bangkok. This year they will be bringing their brand new show, Carnival Queens.
[Phuket Wan]

•Sydney Catholic priest Father Kevin Lee who has been removed from his post after revealing he had been secretly married for a year to a woman he met in the Philippines. “I think celibacy has to go,” he said.
[Sydney MH]

•Funny: I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.

Round up of Thailand news with AJW

Today is May 1, 2012 – It is a holiday in Thailand

Wage hike theory flawed.

Today is May 1, 2012 – It is a holiday in Thailand

Wage hike theory flawed.

•Comment: The government’s minimum wage policy could have a drastic impact on the economy and workers alike, Thailand Development Research Institute economists have warned.

Yongyuth Chalamwong, a labour expert at the TDRI, said hiking minimum wages to 300 baht nationwide from January will be “a massive aftershock” as the wage rise affects businesses operating across the country.

Those workers will face a loss of purchasing power and income if their wages are frozen and not adjusted further to cope with inflation, he said.

The government has said that once daily minimum wages are raised to 300 baht nationwide, no further increase will be made until after the launch of the Asean Economic Community in 2015. The researchers estimate that real wages, after adjusting for inflation, will actually be just 293 baht per day for workers in Bangkok and 289 baht for Phuket.

The Labor Ministry will monitor the cost of living over the next three months to determine if any additional adjustment is needed to the minimum daily wage. From April 1, workers on Phuket and in Bangkok plus 5 other provinces earn at least 300 baht a day but prices have also jumped. Up to 130,000 small and medium sized enterprises could be forced out of business, according to a survey.
[Bkk Post & Nation]

TODAY

Temp 38°C
€uro = 40.70 THB
US$ = 30.73 THB
UK£ = 49.88 THB
CHF = 33.88 THB
AUD = 32.01 THB

SET Index
1,229 (+1.38%)

TODAY’S WEATHER SUMMARY

38°C ☀☁
VERY HOT

A round up of Thailand’s news:

[Bangkok Post]

•World: Suu Kyi backs down, to take oath tomorrow as UN chief calls for end to sanctions. Malaysians accuse police of brutality. US quiet on Chinese dissident.

•Bangkok: Corruption in the mortgage scheme is killing Thai rice industry. Thailand tells tablet makers to start shipping or cancel the contract.

•Household users of liquefied petroleum gas were told yesterday to prepare to pay more following the government’s decision to move forward a plan to float prices to the fourth quarter.

•The Chinese company chosen to supply 1 million tablet computers to the Thai government has been given a week to sign the contract or lose the deal.

•The government’s high benchmark prices under the rice mortgage scheme have resulted in widespread corruption by participating mills, potentially devastating Thailand’s reputation as a quality rice exporter, industry executives say. Colluding rice mills are reportedly taking the cheaper Pathum Thani and Phitsanulok varieties and mixing them with more expensive Hom Mali rice stored on behalf of the government, then passing off the rice as 100% Hom Mali.

Other news:

•Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Monday he would soon return to Cuba for another round of radiation treatment in his ongoing battle with cancer, which resurfaced earlier this year.

•Manchester City seized control of the Premier League title on Monday after Vincent Kompany’s first-half header powered them to a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Manchester United. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accused Roberto Mancini of attempting to influence officials after a furious touchline bust-up with the Manchester City boss. Ferguson and Mancini had to be separated during an explosive finger-jabbing confrontation in the 76th minute of a highly charged encounter at Eastlands which saw City take control of the title race with a 1-0 victory.

•Buddy hotel owner killed in high speed car crash. Thaifah Chayaworaprapa, 54, was found dead inside his crashed Porsche. Police are investigating the cause of the crash. They said a speed dial on the Porsche after the crash in Laksi district on the Don Muang tollway showed the car was driving at 280km/h. Three cars were involved and two men, including Thaifah and a son of a former minister, were killed and another was seriously injured.

•Malaysia will introduce its first minimum wage to benefit an estimated 3.2 million workers, joining neighbors Thailand and Vietnam in strengthening support for low-income households as elections approach in SE Asia’s third-largest economy.
[Bloomberg]

•Airlines: No-frills airline AirAsia, which is now flying to Sydney, has taken a different approach to offering fliers a seat with no passenger next to them. The airline “empty seat option” is available. Passengers enter their flight details into the website and pay a “nominal” empty seat price.
[Sydney MH]

•The kidnapping of a Dutch boy in Malaysia has triggered a media campaign by his parents and the Prime Minister appealing for his safe return, as police continue their investigation. Twelve-year-old Nayati Moodliar was snatched by two men.
[afp]

•Bali Animal Health Officials have again recorded a new outbreak of Bird Flu among Bali’s poultry populations.
[Bali Discovery]

•Phuket: A false rumour that Phuket island was going to sink, drastically diminished crowds at the weekend’s Phuket Pride march. Organisors said,”We hoped we’d get 20,000 watching the parade, but it was more like 7000-10,000 because of the stupid rumour.”
[Phuket Wan]

•Funny: If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you!

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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