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<title>Thailand Buzz / CMN / Published News</title>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Thaksin to be arrested on arrival in Thailand]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_to_be_arrested_on_arrival_in_Thailand/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_to_be_arrested_on_arrival_in_Thailand/</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
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<category>Politics</category>
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<description><![CDATA[Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be arrested if and when he returns to Thailand, a senior public prosecutor said yesterday. Samphan Sarathana, the state prosecution's foreign affairs director, said Mr Thaksin will be prosecuted in a court of law, even if the People Power party (PPP), whose members are loyal to the deposed prime minister, heads the next government. Mr Thaksin will be arrested the moment he lands at Suvarnabhumi airport because of a standing arrest warrant against him, Mr Samphan said. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions issued arrest warrants for Mr Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman in August this year after the couple failed to appear for the first hearing in the 772-million-baht Ratchadaphisek land purchase case. He has not returned to Thailand since the military staged a coup on Sept 19, 2006, and launched corruption investigations against him and his government. Mr Thaksin is accused of using his authority as prime minister to influence the purchase of a 33-rai block of land by his wife from the Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003. Mr Thaksin said in Hong Kong after the Dec 23 election that he planned to return to Thailand early next year, some time between February and April. Mr Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadol Pattama, said his boss did not consider the arrest warrant as a factor in deciding whether to return to Thailand. Although he faces arrest, he is confident he will be freed on bail with the help of his lawyers. Udom Fuangfung, an ASC member and former senior Criminal Court judge, was sceptical of Mr Thaksin's plans to return. He pointed out Mr Thaksin's lawyers were preparing to ask the Constitution Court to examine the legitimacy of the ASC. The request to the Constitution Court could be used as a condition for Mr Thaksin's return, or even as an excuse for him not to return, he said. He added that the fact Mr Thaksin's lawyers were seeking a ruling from the Constitution Court did not affect the ASC and the committee was looking forward to seeing if Mr Thaksin would return to fight his corruption case in a straightforward manner. He confirmed that Mr Thaksin and his wife would be arrested on arrival in Thailand because both have arrest warrants issued for them.<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[PPP suggests Bangkok poll corruption]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/PPP_suggests_Bangkok_poll_corruption/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/PPP_suggests_Bangkok_poll_corruption/</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
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<category>Politics</category>
<guid>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/PPP_suggests_Bangkok_poll_corruption/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej said his winning candidates will surely celebrate their electoral victories when parliament reconvenes early next month but expressed doubt that the contests in Bangkok were either fair or clean.Mr Samak, tipped to become prime minister heading a coalition government following last Sunday's genereal election which saw his PPP sweep most parliamentary seats, said his colleagues will look into the poor results of the PPP contests in the capital. His party had been projected to gain up to 21 out of a total of 36 seats in pre-election polls. But the PPP only won nine parliamentary seats, with the balance going to the Democrat Party. In particular, the PPP leader said the advance voting scheduled one week ahead of Sunday's polls remained very questionable. Meanwhile, PPP chief legal adviser Chusak Sirinil confirmed the issuing of yellow cards to PPP winning candidates by the Election Commission would certainly not affect the setting up of a PPP-led coalition government. The PPP, which had swept 233 MP seats, had been given three yellow cards so far and even a dozen more would not seriously affect the business of forming the coalition with other parties, he said. Calling on the polling agency to perform in a just and indiscriminate fashion, Mr Chusak urged the Election Commission to investigate and consider presenting a yellow card to a winning Democrat Party candidate contesting in Petchabun province amid allegations that he had been involved in vote-buying. The PPP adviser played down Thursday's meeting between election commissioners and the Council for National Security, which he said currently has no active role in running the country. PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang called on the Democrat Party to stop &quot;sowing confusion&quot; by behind-the-scenes scrambling to form a coalition of its own, despite the fact that it had came off second to the PPP. The spokesman, who was defeated in Si Sa Ket, said the PPP-led coalition consists of 254 MPs so far.<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Observatory for Doi Inthanon strongly backed]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Technology/Observatory_for_Doi_Inthanon_strongly_backed/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Technology/Observatory_for_Doi_Inthanon_strongly_backed/</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Technology</category>
<guid>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Technology/Observatory_for_Doi_Inthanon_strongly_backed/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The proposal for the construction of a National Observatory on top of Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai's Jom Thong district will go ahead despite opposition from many organisations concerned about the impact on forest environment, the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) says.Published on December 28, 2007The Paki Khon Hug Chiang Mai organisation and other conservation networks have urged the institute and the Ministry of Science and Technology to reconsider the proposal because of the effect construction could have on the mountain's ecosystem. The groups cite a lack of space on the top of Doi Inthanon, which is now in excellent natural condition. Institute director Asst Professor Boonraksa Sunthondham said the focus was always on Doi Inthanon's environment as well as the academic advantages for astronomy. He said Doi Inthnon was the best location in Thailand for the planned National Observatory. The ideal location was 2,500 metres above sea level. The proposed station would be at 2,550 metres.He insisted construction would not cause damage to the forest.Boonraksa said the institute was open to any ideas from experts and conservation organisations if there was proof the station could harm the environment. It would be willing to consider a new location. A conclusion is expected before the middle of 2008 because the telescope to be installed at the site will be ready for delivery from the United States. The automated telescope is a single mirror with a 2.4 metre wide aperture and will be one of the largest and most advanced in Asia. The institute's aim is to provide first-class observatory conditions suitable for advanced research in astronomy and astrophysics. With robotic capability as well as a range of state-of-the-art instruments, the observatory will be capable of playing a significant role in supporting cutting edge research and international collaboration. It is expected to be operational by early 2009. Jirat PrasertsupCitylifeChiang Mai<br/><br/>3 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Thaksin pledges an oath of royalist]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_pledges_an_oath_of_royalist/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_pledges_an_oath_of_royalist/</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
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<category>Politics</category>
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<description><![CDATA[Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a twopage statement reaffirming his loyalty to the monarchy, his legal adviser Noppadon Patama said on Friday.&quot;Thaksin swore an oath before the sacredness and Phra Siam Thewathirat (the country's guardian angel) pledging his undying loyalty to the monarchy and willing to have his family condemned if he went back on his word,&quot; Noppadon said from the statement.He said Thaksin devoted a major portion of his statement to rebut the allegation that he was not a royalist.In regard to speculation that Thaksin was the puppet master behind the forming of the next government, he said People Power Party leader Samak Sundaravej was in charge of the matter as Thaksin was abroad and had no involvement in politics due to his fiveyear ban.He said Thaksin's decision to return to his homeland would not waver because of the Thursday's assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi.&quot;Thaksin is still determined to clear his charges in accordance with the judicial proceedings,&quot; he said, ruling out the concern for safety on grounds that the Thai situation differed from that prevailing in Pakistan.Thaksin's statement is seen as a reaction to the fivepoint demand by the two parties, Chart Thai and Puea Pandin, as a precondition to join the People Powerled coalition.The five preconditions are the reverence of the monarchy; the refrain from disrespecting General Prem Tinsulanonda, present of the Privy Council and elder statesman; no reprisals; Thaksin's return to face due process and no meddling with the work of the Assets Examination Committee.The Nation<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Thailand condemns Bhutto's assassination]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thailand_condemns_Bhuttos_assassination/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thailand_condemns_Bhuttos_assassination/</comments>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2007 03:20:51 -0600</pubDate>
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<category>Politics</category>
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<description><![CDATA[Thai Foreign Ministry said Thai students in Pakistan are safe.Foreign Ministry condemned on Friday the assassination of Pakistani former premier Benazir Bhutto and called for all parties to react with restraints.In the ministry's statement, it said Thailand was deeply shocked and saddened by the deplorable act which led to the deaths of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto and several other innocent bystanders.&quot;Thailand condemns all forms of terrorist and extremist acts and calls on all parties to react with restraint and work together for the stability of Pakistan,&quot; read the statement.Meanwhile Thai Foreign Ministry said all Thai students in Pakistan were safe as violence gripped Pakistan after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on Thursday.Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tharit Charungvat said there are 263 Thai students in Pakistan, 150 of them are in Karachi, 80 in Lahore, 25 in Islamabad and eight in Rawalpindi where Bhutto was killed.Thai embassy in Islamabad has checked the students through their network and found that all of them were safe.The embassy has warned the students not to involve in the violence that now spread to many parts of the country following the assassination.<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Thaksin warned to avoid politics]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_warned_to_avoid_politics/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_warned_to_avoid_politics/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:12:42 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Politics</category>
<guid>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Politics/Thaksin_warned_to_avoid_politics/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Business leaders fear more rifts after decision to come back soonPublished on December 26, 2007Political and business leaders warned former premier Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday against interfering with the political and judicial systems after he announced his plan to return to Thailand in the near future.Speaking at a news conference in Hong Kong yesterday, Thaksin said he might return any time from February and would come back as a &quot;normal citizen&quot;. He also repeated his earlier promise to keep out of politics. However, he said he was willing to act as an adviser to the People Power Party, if asked. Thaksin said while he wanted to return quickly, he would play it by ear and do so when the situation allowed.Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thaksin should not interfere in the political or judicial systems.Thaksin has the right to return to the country and face the judicial process as a citizen, he said. However, his recent movements hint at the possibility of interference. In that case, he could spark rift and conflict, and nobody wants another coup, he added.Parties considering a coalition position should keep this issue in mind, he cautioned.Justice and morality should remain paramount, Abhisit said.Federation of Thai Indus-tries chairman Santi Vilas-sakdanont said Thaksin was welcome back any time. &quot;If he comes here to pursue cases against him by the Assets Examination Commission, follows legal procedure and reports to the court and seeks bail, if he does that, people can accept that. &quot;But if he comes and tries to change the Constitution or to deal with the 111 banned politicians, it will create problems,&quot; he said on television news.Santi said a Monday night meeting of federation members had expressed concern over a new government's policies.&quot;We said if the People Power formed the government, and it tried to change the Constitution, or invited Thaksin back, or interfered in the judicial system, it would face resistance. The situation will be fragile.&quot;If it focused on accelerating social and economic policy, the public would accept the government, he said.There are many things a new government can do within its first three to six months to improve economic performance, he added.However, if a People Power government focused on these other issues, it would face public resistance.Board of Trade chairman Pramon Sutivong echoed the sentiments. He said a People Power government should not intervene in legal processes or seek amnesty for banned politicians. He said on Monday night that a new government should let the legal process run its course.He conceded populist polices had some benefit, but added that a new government should learn from mistakes of the past in their implementation.In Hong Kong, Thaksin said yesterday he would &quot;explore options&quot; in February about a return but would not resume a career in politics, after being ousted in last year's coup.&quot;I really want to go back as a normal citizen. Enough is enough for politics,&quot; Thaksin claimed.The former premier has not personally approached any parties seeking an alliance with a People Power coalition, his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday. He denied a Reuters report that Thaksin might resume politics after returning.&quot;Thaksin has no involvement and the People Power has made all contact with other parties,&quot; he said, dismissing speculation the party had sought assistance from the former prime minister.He ruled out news reports Thaksin had assigned Matchima faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin and banned party executive Suriya Jungrungreangkit to broker a coalition deal.He said Thaksin and wife Khunying Pojaman would definitely end their London exile and return to fight charges against them sometime between February and April.&quot;Thaksin intends to clear his name like any other citizen and will not interfere with judicial proceedings,&quot; Noppadon said.His client is confident of acquittals on all charges laid against him in a &quot;frame-up&quot; to justify the coup, he added.The Nation, Agencies<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Music institute to honour Princess]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Celebrity/Music_institute_to_honour_Princess/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Celebrity/Music_institute_to_honour_Princess/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:12:42 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Celebrity</category>
<guid>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Celebrity/Music_institute_to_honour_Princess/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana had become less responsive and was more fatigued, the Royal Household Bureau said yesterday in its 31st statement on His Majesty the King's elder sister. Published on December 26, 2007Physicians treating the Princess reported she was also encountering more difficulty in breathing, it said.Meanwhile, the Cabinet yesterday approved funds of Bt22.5 million to build the Galyani Vadhana Classical Music Institute to mark the Princess's 84th birthday on May 6. Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sriaroon said the initial funds would cover the cost of studying the design of the institute. Khaisri said the committee formed to plan the institute had set four phases: to study the design and the physics; construction; procurement of equipment and recruitment of staff; and setting the curriculum. The new government would take up the task of completing the project which would cost almost Bt810 million, she said.The Nation<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Top surfers to line up in Phuket]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Sports/Top_surfers_to_line_up_in_Phuket/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Sports/Top_surfers_to_line_up_in_Phuket/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:12:42 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Sports</category>
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<description><![CDATA[[WINDSURFING] With a stellar gathering of world-class surfers, the Puravarna Windsurfing Rally for His Majesty the King promises to serve up some exciting fare in Phuket next month. Published on December 20, 2007Well-known athletes from 21 countries have already confirmed their participation in the event, which will be held between January 15 and 20 as part of the King's 80th birthday celebrations. The course has been set up specifically for surfers to explore the natural beauty of Phuket, as it will take competitors through the resort island's five famous beaches. Olympics gold medallist Christoph Sieber of Austria heads the glittering field, which also includes Guy Gribb, one of England's finest surfers, France's Patrice Belbeoc, who already has the world championships in his portfolio, and Riccado Giordano of Italy, the former European champion. Veteran Aran Hoamraruen, the Bangkok Asian Games gold medal winner, will spearhead the hosts' assault.Kitinan Sanguansak The Nation<br/><br/>3 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Thai strategies to fight climate change]]></title>
<link>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Sciences/Thai_strategies_to_fight_climate_change/</link>
<comments>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Sciences/Thai_strategies_to_fight_climate_change/</comments>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 23:12:42 -0600</pubDate>
<dc:creator></dc:creator>
<category>Sciences</category>
<guid>http://www.thailandbuzz.info/Sciences/Thai_strategies_to_fight_climate_change/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[There is a strong consensus that human activities mainly contribute to global warming. Published on December 26, 2007Scientists attribute global temperature rises to the accumulation of carbon dioxide, methane and other gases in the atmosphere. These are by-products of power plants, automobiles and other fossil fuel-burning sources. In 2004, the Kyoto Protocol was the first international agreement towards controlling these &quot;greenhouse gases&quot;. Among the impacts of global warming in Asia: many Asian glaciers may soon disappear, permafrost is thawing, and bad droughts are affecting many countries. Rapid population growth and development will result in the release of more greenhouse gases. Climate change has been reported to have the potential to dramatically slash yields of rice - the staple food for most Asians. The links between global warming and human diseases are also becoming clearer. Thais are increasingly aware of global warming, with flash floods in Uttaradit and other northern provinces, reef bleaching in the Andaman Sea, and unusual weather patterns elsewhere. A serious adverse impact could be on rice, farmed by 3.6 million families and the country's largest export. Rising sea levels caused by melting ice and warming oceans could also hit Thailand's coastal farms, with increased salt levels in the soil making them less productive. Many archaeological sites that have withstood centuries of wars and natural disasters might not survive the impacts of global warming. The major sources of Thailand's emissions arise from changing land-use patterns and increased energy consumption. Deforestation has led to a drastic drop in the amount of carbon stored in standing biomass and soils. Thailand lost forest area rapidly during the 1960s and 1970s - about 3 per cent annually. Fortunately, the trend shows a slower rate of deforestation, partly due to a 1988logging ban. Rice farming has also been linked to global warming through methane production. However, the main source of greenhouse gas emissions is in energy conversion and consumption processes by the industrial, power, and transportation sectors. The Thai government has announced a commitment to participate in international climate-change forums. Thailand has been a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol. It also participated in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as well as other international meetings. Concerning intermediate-term planning to tackle global warming and climate change, as well as to mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has drafted national strategies and guidelines. The draft of Thailand's Five-Year Strategies on Climate Change (2008-2012) outlines measures that would need to be undertaken by various agencies, which include:- Building capacity to adapt and reduce vulnerability to climate-change impacts;- Promoting greenhouse-gas mitigation activities based on sustainable development;- Supporting research and development to better understand climate change, its impacts, and adaptation and mitigation options;- Raising awareness and promoting public participation;- Building capacity of relevant personnel and institutions and establishing a framework of coordination and integration; and- Supporting international cooperation to achieve the goal of climate-change mitigation and sustainable development.The government has planned strategies and measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while not disrupting the country's energy system. This will ensure a sufficient supply of electricity to achieve target growth, while keeping the level of emissions low. These include immediate action to accelerate the implementation of energy conservation programmes, and measures to switch energy consumption strategies to different fuel mixes, basically toward extensive use of natural gas and imported hydroelectric power. As an advanced developing country, Thailand is suitable as a hub for technology transfer and research to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming on developing countries in general. The government has also established the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Organisation, to deal specifically with the clean development mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol. Thailand has already approved 16 biomass, biogas and landfill-gas projects. Our approach for emission reduction focuses on the energy sector.The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also been conducting activities to reduce global warming. Bangkok is a major source of greenhouse gasses, with 30 to 50 per cent of total energy consumption concentrated in the city. As a small but significant gesture, the BMA has launched a campaign to promote the use of cloth instead of plastic bags. If the use of plastic bags is reduced, about one million tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted in Bangkok would be cut per year.On World Environmental Day this year, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont gave a speech entitled &quot;Stop Global Warming through Sufficiency Lifestyle&quot;. The prime minister said that, from the development perspective, climate change is partly the result of the faulty vision of development which focuses on exploitation of nature but ignores the environment. Thailand has since adopted the practice of sufficiency economy, as advised by His Majesty the King, as a main pillar of government policy. Along with a competitive economy with the private sector as the main engine, sufficiency economy provides a middle path for social and economic development based on moderation in lifestyle and sustainability of natural resources and the environment. The principles of sufficiency economy can be applied effectively to the issues of climate change and global warming. It is late, but not too late, to reverse the harmful trends that affect the environment. Action taken by the international community to try to reduce the hole in the ozone layer has been successful, with the gradual phasing out of ozone-damaging chemicals. Similar international collaboration can prevent or even reverse the rapid onset of global warming. However, the overall problems are grim and of such unprecedented proportions that they will need concerted action over a long time - in the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, in energy conservation, and in the use of alternative energy sources. These are just some of the actions that will need to be taken rapidly, on a large scale worldwide, in order to successfully meet the challenges of climate change.Adapted from the Inaugural Address at the Nation Conference, November 23, 2007, Inter-Continental Hotel, Bangkok.Yongyuth Yuthavong is minister of Science and Technology and acting minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.Yongyuth YuthavongThe Nation<br/><br/>1 Vote(s) ]]></description>
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