Thai gov't to heed King's advice: PM
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday vowed to heed King Bhumibol Adulyadej's advice to sustainably solve the country's flood problems, Mass Communication of Thailand reported on Tuesday.
Yingluck told media after the weekly cabinet meeting that it was resolved to heed the king advice given on Monday on the occasion of marking his seventh-cycle birthday, particularly regarding flood problems as many people still suffer from the flooding.
King Bhumibol on Monday called on all parties to work together to resolve the flood problems and avoid conflict for the well- being of the Thai people and national security as he granted a grand public audience at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
The monarch addressed the public on his birthday, telling his people that all parties should work at full capacity for the well- being of the citizenry as this leads to national security.
Yingluck said that the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management will meet on Tuesday to speed up the master plan for sustainable water management and to address immediate flood problems.
The premier said she emphasized that cabinet ministers, particularly Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, should quickly resolve the flood in many areas as there are 80-100 housing estates reportedly under water and they should be drained by the year end.
The people should be able to celebrate the New Year in their homes, said the prime minister.
Yingluck said she asked Justice Minister Pracha Promnog who directs the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) to clarify and seek a solution to end conflicts among residents who have differing ideas to tackle flood problems.
She said every conflict must have a solution and that rehabilitation measures should be offered to the flood victims.
The country's worst floods, caused by heavy monsoon and overflow from several dams across the country, in nearly 60 years have claimed more than 600 lives and affected about 10 million people since mid July.
Editor: Yamei Wang
English.news.cn 2011-12-06 16:58:27 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 6 (Xinhua)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Flood crisis causes $97.15 mln losses to Thailand's national airline in Q4
Flood crisis causes $97.15 mln losses to Thailand's national airline in Q4
It is anticipated that Thai Airways International (THAI) will lose about three billion baht (97.15 million U.S. dollars) in revenues in the fourth quarter of this year due to the most severe floods, the agency's President Piyasvasti Amranand said Tuesday.
Surveying the airline's damage at flood-hit Don Mueang Airport, Piyasvasti said the number of tourists from South Korea, Japan and China dropped 40 to 50 percent owing to travel warnings to Thailand from their countries.
Since late October the capital's second airport has been inundated by the worst deluge in over 50 years, forcing some domestic airlines to suspend their services at Don Mueang and move to Suvarnabhumi International airport. The floodwaters surrounding the airport, however, have receded and the area has become dry again.
According to the THAI President, the more than a month-long flood crisis has damaged the airline's aircraft repair buildings, equipment, and administration buildings.
At least two months are needed for the reconstruction of THAI maintenance department at Don Mueang airport, and as the result, the company has to postpone the aircraft improvement project for passenger seats and entertainment equipment, Piyavasti added.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-12-06 15:49:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 6 (Xinhua)
It is anticipated that Thai Airways International (THAI) will lose about three billion baht (97.15 million U.S. dollars) in revenues in the fourth quarter of this year due to the most severe floods, the agency's President Piyasvasti Amranand said Tuesday.
Surveying the airline's damage at flood-hit Don Mueang Airport, Piyasvasti said the number of tourists from South Korea, Japan and China dropped 40 to 50 percent owing to travel warnings to Thailand from their countries.
Since late October the capital's second airport has been inundated by the worst deluge in over 50 years, forcing some domestic airlines to suspend their services at Don Mueang and move to Suvarnabhumi International airport. The floodwaters surrounding the airport, however, have receded and the area has become dry again.
According to the THAI President, the more than a month-long flood crisis has damaged the airline's aircraft repair buildings, equipment, and administration buildings.
At least two months are needed for the reconstruction of THAI maintenance department at Don Mueang airport, and as the result, the company has to postpone the aircraft improvement project for passenger seats and entertainment equipment, Piyavasti added.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-12-06 15:49:10 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 6 (Xinhua)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Mekong murder case forwarded to Thai prosecutors
Mekong murder case forwarded to Thai prosecutors
Police investigators have forwarded the case against nine Thai soldiers accused of killing 13 Chinese sailors early October to the Office of the Attorney General, local media reported Monday.
Provincial Police Region 5 commander Pol Lt Suthep Detraksa told Bangkok Post that prosecutors for international affairs for Region 5 of the Attorney-General's Office were asked to review the case report.
He said the police were still at a loss with regard to the murderers of the Chinese sailors.
Two cargo ships, "Hua Ping" and "Yu Xing 8", were attacked on Oct. 5 on a section of Mekong River near the Golden Triangle area and 13 Chinese sailors aboard were killed. Thai police have pressed charges against 9 soliders from the Third Army Region in connection with the incident. But they denied the charges.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-12-05 17:54:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua)
Police investigators have forwarded the case against nine Thai soldiers accused of killing 13 Chinese sailors early October to the Office of the Attorney General, local media reported Monday.
Provincial Police Region 5 commander Pol Lt Suthep Detraksa told Bangkok Post that prosecutors for international affairs for Region 5 of the Attorney-General's Office were asked to review the case report.
He said the police were still at a loss with regard to the murderers of the Chinese sailors.
Two cargo ships, "Hua Ping" and "Yu Xing 8", were attacked on Oct. 5 on a section of Mekong River near the Golden Triangle area and 13 Chinese sailors aboard were killed. Thai police have pressed charges against 9 soliders from the Third Army Region in connection with the incident. But they denied the charges.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
English.news.cn 2011-12-05 17:54:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua)
Thai King calls for national unity, stability
Thai King calls for national unity, stability
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Monday called for national unity and stability on the occasion of his 84th birthday.
The King began with thanking his people for their blessings as he made an appearance at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall to grant the public audience during a state ceremony marking his 84th birthday. He said that the flood, the worst in decades, has prevailed the country for more than 4 months and called for utmost and collective efforts to help flood victims.
He said that the obligation of the government, military and civil departments lies in the pursuit of the national stability and people's happiness. A paramount step to achieve this is to ensure that there is no conflict and no split in the country, the King said.
With many Thais still suffering from the floods, he urged all the parties to put aside conflicts and encourage one another so as to solve the problem as soon as possible. He also suggested those involved in flood relief operations not only to fight against the natural disaster for the moment, but also to keep it in check for the long-run and in a sustainable way. The water-management ideas, he mentioned before were recommended.
The ceremony was attended by Members of other royal families, the commanders of the three branches of the Armed Forces, legislators and diplomats. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Supreme Court President Phairoj Wayuparp and Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn gave speeches representing government, parliament and armed forces respectively to pay homage to the King.
Tens of thousands of people have waited since early Monday along the way from the Siriraj Hospital, where the King currently stays to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and shouted "Long Live the King". The government is also staging grand festivals for seven days and nights until Friday.
The King came to the throne in 1946 and is now the longest reigning monarch in the world, deeply loved and respected by his people and the international community. In September 2009, he was admitted to hospital for pneumonia and has since stayed there and made rare public appearance.Queen Elizabeth II, the queen of Britain, sent birthday message on Monday to the King of Thailand for His birthday and offered condolences to the flood victims.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-12-05 14:17:39 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua)
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej Monday called for national unity and stability on the occasion of his 84th birthday.
The King began with thanking his people for their blessings as he made an appearance at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall to grant the public audience during a state ceremony marking his 84th birthday. He said that the flood, the worst in decades, has prevailed the country for more than 4 months and called for utmost and collective efforts to help flood victims.
He said that the obligation of the government, military and civil departments lies in the pursuit of the national stability and people's happiness. A paramount step to achieve this is to ensure that there is no conflict and no split in the country, the King said.
With many Thais still suffering from the floods, he urged all the parties to put aside conflicts and encourage one another so as to solve the problem as soon as possible. He also suggested those involved in flood relief operations not only to fight against the natural disaster for the moment, but also to keep it in check for the long-run and in a sustainable way. The water-management ideas, he mentioned before were recommended.
The ceremony was attended by Members of other royal families, the commanders of the three branches of the Armed Forces, legislators and diplomats. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Supreme Court President Phairoj Wayuparp and Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn gave speeches representing government, parliament and armed forces respectively to pay homage to the King.
Tens of thousands of people have waited since early Monday along the way from the Siriraj Hospital, where the King currently stays to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall and shouted "Long Live the King". The government is also staging grand festivals for seven days and nights until Friday.
The King came to the throne in 1946 and is now the longest reigning monarch in the world, deeply loved and respected by his people and the international community. In September 2009, he was admitted to hospital for pneumonia and has since stayed there and made rare public appearance.Queen Elizabeth II, the queen of Britain, sent birthday message on Monday to the King of Thailand for His birthday and offered condolences to the flood victims.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-12-05 14:17:39 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua)
Royal decree enacted to pardon 20,000 Thai inmates
Royal decree enacted to pardon 20,000 Thai inmates
His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to pardon some 20,000 convicts nationwide on the occasion of his 84th birthday anniversary, local reports said.
The decree, which was signed by His Majesty the King, was based on the royal pardon decree legislated last year by the Democrat- led government. In the statement published on the Royal Gazette, His Majesty said the inmates should be given a second chance on the occasion of King's birthday anniversary.
This year's royal pardon decree states that the eligible convicts must have been detained in prisons or detention centers sanctioned by courts or government agencies. The 2011 decree is slightly different from the last year's one on the point that inmates convicted in drug cases are also eligible for royal pardon on ground that their jail term must not be longer than eight years.
The Corrections Department has used the criteria of the decree to screen eligible inmates and reported that 20,000 will be eligible. The department said the first lot of 12,000 prisoners will be released on December 8 and the rest will be gradually released later.
There was no name of the ousted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra on the name list of those who are eligible for the royal pardon.
Last month media reported that the cabinet had approved a draft pardon which was deemed to allow the fugitive prime minister to return without serving jail term, prompting angers from his opponents.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 19:44:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to pardon some 20,000 convicts nationwide on the occasion of his 84th birthday anniversary, local reports said.
The decree, which was signed by His Majesty the King, was based on the royal pardon decree legislated last year by the Democrat- led government. In the statement published on the Royal Gazette, His Majesty said the inmates should be given a second chance on the occasion of King's birthday anniversary.
This year's royal pardon decree states that the eligible convicts must have been detained in prisons or detention centers sanctioned by courts or government agencies. The 2011 decree is slightly different from the last year's one on the point that inmates convicted in drug cases are also eligible for royal pardon on ground that their jail term must not be longer than eight years.
The Corrections Department has used the criteria of the decree to screen eligible inmates and reported that 20,000 will be eligible. The department said the first lot of 12,000 prisoners will be released on December 8 and the rest will be gradually released later.
There was no name of the ousted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra on the name list of those who are eligible for the royal pardon.
Last month media reported that the cabinet had approved a draft pardon which was deemed to allow the fugitive prime minister to return without serving jail term, prompting angers from his opponents.
Editor: Mo Hong'e
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 19:44:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Flood-hit industrial parks in Thailand could resume operations by next March/April
All seven inundated industrial estates in central provinces of Thailand are expected to fully resume operations by March or April next year, Industry Minister Wannarat Charnnukul expressed his confidence on Sunday.
Speaking after leading a team to visit Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate in central Ayutthaya province, the world herritage site, he added the government is currently working on a rehabilitation plan and a clear prevention plan for the future.
The Industry Ministry and related agencies are also planning road shows in other countries to boost confidence among business groups showing Thailand has a long-term flood prevention plan and that the flood situation in the country has eased, he added.
A total of seven industrial estates and parks in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces were submerged by heaviest deluge in over 50 years in October. As a result, more than one million people have been suspended and initial loss has been anticipated at about 3.3 billion U.S. dollars.
Floods inflicted by heavy monsoon rains and back-to-back tropical storms have ravaged the country since late July, killing more than 650 and affecting more than 13 million nationwide.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 18:10:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Speaking after leading a team to visit Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate in central Ayutthaya province, the world herritage site, he added the government is currently working on a rehabilitation plan and a clear prevention plan for the future.
The Industry Ministry and related agencies are also planning road shows in other countries to boost confidence among business groups showing Thailand has a long-term flood prevention plan and that the flood situation in the country has eased, he added.
A total of seven industrial estates and parks in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces were submerged by heaviest deluge in over 50 years in October. As a result, more than one million people have been suspended and initial loss has been anticipated at about 3.3 billion U.S. dollars.
Floods inflicted by heavy monsoon rains and back-to-back tropical storms have ravaged the country since late July, killing more than 650 and affecting more than 13 million nationwide.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 18:10:53 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Thai opposition party to seek impeachment of FM
Thai opposition party to seek impeachment of FM
Legal team of the main opposition Democrat Party sets to seek impeachment of and file criminal suit against Foreign Minister Surapong Tovihcakchaikul on charges in connection with the attempt to re-issue a passport to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra.
Wirat Kalayasiri, head of the Democrats' legal team, said on Sunday that the fugitive ex-premier is now under black-list of police and the move by the foreign minister to return the passport to Thaksin could be a violation of the law.
The Democrats would both seek impeachment of the foreign minister and file a criminal charge against the foreign minister for alleged neglect of duty as he failed to take steps to arrest the fugitive ex-premier.
The penalty for negligence of state official could sentense Surapong to five to 10 years in jail, Wirat added.
The foreign minister told reporters last Friday that the ministry is preparing to give passport back to former Prime Minister Thaksin as a New Year's gift.
Thaksin's diplomatic passport was revoked in April 2009 by foreign ministry under the then Democrat-led government. The government claimed that the passport needed to be revoked as Thaksin violated passport issuing regulations, which state that the ministry can cancel or recall a passport if it can prove that a person has caused damage to the country.
Thaksin's several phoning-in from abroad in 2009 to anti- government demonstrations by Red Shirt movement was considered as inciting violence.
Thaksin, ousted in the 2006 coup, was sentenced in absentia in 2008 to two-year jail term for abuse of power by helping his then wife to acquire a parcel of commercial land in inner Bangkok at a price far below the market value. Since then he has imposed self- exile abroad and mainly resided in Dubai.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 16:35:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Legal team of the main opposition Democrat Party sets to seek impeachment of and file criminal suit against Foreign Minister Surapong Tovihcakchaikul on charges in connection with the attempt to re-issue a passport to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra.
Wirat Kalayasiri, head of the Democrats' legal team, said on Sunday that the fugitive ex-premier is now under black-list of police and the move by the foreign minister to return the passport to Thaksin could be a violation of the law.
The Democrats would both seek impeachment of the foreign minister and file a criminal charge against the foreign minister for alleged neglect of duty as he failed to take steps to arrest the fugitive ex-premier.
The penalty for negligence of state official could sentense Surapong to five to 10 years in jail, Wirat added.
The foreign minister told reporters last Friday that the ministry is preparing to give passport back to former Prime Minister Thaksin as a New Year's gift.
Thaksin's diplomatic passport was revoked in April 2009 by foreign ministry under the then Democrat-led government. The government claimed that the passport needed to be revoked as Thaksin violated passport issuing regulations, which state that the ministry can cancel or recall a passport if it can prove that a person has caused damage to the country.
Thaksin's several phoning-in from abroad in 2009 to anti- government demonstrations by Red Shirt movement was considered as inciting violence.
Thaksin, ousted in the 2006 coup, was sentenced in absentia in 2008 to two-year jail term for abuse of power by helping his then wife to acquire a parcel of commercial land in inner Bangkok at a price far below the market value. Since then he has imposed self- exile abroad and mainly resided in Dubai.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 16:35:42 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Thai ex-PM to give testimony on Red Shirt dispersal
Thai ex-PM to give testimony on Red Shirt dispersal
Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thuagsuban are scheduled to meet with police investigators on Dec. 9 and 8 respectively to give testimony on the crackdown against anti Democrat-led government Red Shirts.
Backed by the ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the then Pheu Thai opposition party, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), alias Red Shirt movement, staged prolonged and widespread protests against the then Democrat-led government, calling for parliament dissolution and a snap election.
As the demonstration turned into riots, the government ordered forceful dispersal which eventually resulted in clashes between the military and the protesters in April and May. In total, 91 people were killed while nearly 1,900 injured.
Red Shirt supporters and political opponents blamed the government and concerned authorities for the deaths of the people.
The Metropolitan Police initially wanted both to meet them on Dec 2 but the two requested the appointments to be postponed so that they could have enough time to prepare documentations.
Suthep said that he was summoned as a witness not a suspect.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 14:09:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
Backgrounder: Abhisit--Thailand's trouble-ridden PM
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thuagsuban are scheduled to meet with police investigators on Dec. 9 and 8 respectively to give testimony on the crackdown against anti Democrat-led government Red Shirts.
Backed by the ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the then Pheu Thai opposition party, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), alias Red Shirt movement, staged prolonged and widespread protests against the then Democrat-led government, calling for parliament dissolution and a snap election.
As the demonstration turned into riots, the government ordered forceful dispersal which eventually resulted in clashes between the military and the protesters in April and May. In total, 91 people were killed while nearly 1,900 injured.
Red Shirt supporters and political opponents blamed the government and concerned authorities for the deaths of the people.
The Metropolitan Police initially wanted both to meet them on Dec 2 but the two requested the appointments to be postponed so that they could have enough time to prepare documentations.
Suthep said that he was summoned as a witness not a suspect.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 14:09:20 FeedbackPrintRSS
Backgrounder: Abhisit--Thailand's trouble-ridden PM
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Bangkok to be dry before New Year: Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra
Bangkok to be dry before New Year: governor
Floodwaters will be dried out in Bangkok by the end of this year, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said on Sunday morning.
"Bangkok will dry before the end of this month because I want it as a New Year gift for all Bangkok residents," he said.
The governor also expressed concern over the ongoing flood situation in the western side of the capital as water level in some important canals are still high.
Officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will surround each inundated area and then drain the flood water out to ensure that they all will dry before the New Year, he added.
Currently a total of 36 out of 50 districts in Bangkok are still facing with floods which are considered the worst in more than half a century.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 13:33:54 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Floodwaters will be dried out in Bangkok by the end of this year, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said on Sunday morning.
"Bangkok will dry before the end of this month because I want it as a New Year gift for all Bangkok residents," he said.
The governor also expressed concern over the ongoing flood situation in the western side of the capital as water level in some important canals are still high.
Officials of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will surround each inundated area and then drain the flood water out to ensure that they all will dry before the New Year, he added.
Currently a total of 36 out of 50 districts in Bangkok are still facing with floods which are considered the worst in more than half a century.
Editor: Xiong Tong
English.news.cn 2011-12-04 13:33:54 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua)
Thai-Myanmar checkpoint to be reopened Monday
Thai-Myanmar checkpoint to be reopened Monday
The Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint on the Thai-Myanmar border will be reopened Monday after more than a year of closure, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday.
Deputy governor of the border province of Tak Wuthi Sithisurat said on Saturday that he had been confirmed of the reopening of the checkpoint by the governor of Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Myanmar had invited Thai authorities and leading members of the Tak Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Thai Industries to attend the opening ceremony of a border economic zone on December 5.
The ceremony would also be attended by high-level officials from Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Daw.
The check-point has been closed since July 18 last year.
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge would be opened as usual.
The Bangkok Post said the reopening of the Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint followed a contact between Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Myanmar counterpart.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-12-03 17:56:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua)
The Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint on the Thai-Myanmar border will be reopened Monday after more than a year of closure, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday.
Deputy governor of the border province of Tak Wuthi Sithisurat said on Saturday that he had been confirmed of the reopening of the checkpoint by the governor of Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Myanmar had invited Thai authorities and leading members of the Tak Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Thai Industries to attend the opening ceremony of a border economic zone on December 5.
The ceremony would also be attended by high-level officials from Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Daw.
The check-point has been closed since July 18 last year.
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge would be opened as usual.
The Bangkok Post said the reopening of the Mae Sot-Myawaddy checkpoint followed a contact between Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and his Myanmar counterpart.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-12-03 17:56:03 FeedbackPrintRSS
BANGKOK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua)
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