Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 4 March 2006 :-

Thaksin accused of spending Bt300 million to organise Friday rally

The People's Alliance for Democracy Saturday accused Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of spending at least Bt300 million to organise the Friday rally in his support.

Sondhi Limthongkul, a leading member of the PAD, said Thaksin spent Bt100 million to hire 3,000 buses and 5,000 vans to transport people from provinces to Sanam Luang on Friday and spent another Bt200 million to hire the people to attend the rally.

Sondhi said each bus was accompanied by a district official.

Sondhi said this indicated that Thaksin could spend a lot money to buy support from grassroots people to perpetuate power.

[rocketscientist]

Appeal to threadstarter to stop news postings. Those who wants to read can buy the Bangkok Post or Nation. Those not in BKK can surf the web. Dun waste your time doing useless stuff, check the number of hits your post has and we can monitor if anyone comes to read or not. Thank you.

[pomrakthai]

Originally Posted by rocketscientist

Appeal to threadstarter to stop news postings. Those who wants to read can buy the Bangkok Post or Nation. Those not in BKK can surf the web. Dun waste your time doing useless stuff, check the number of hits your post has and we can monitor if anyone comes to read or not. Thank you.

I dont find it useless and waste of time to have these news posted. BTW, this thread is solely dedicated to "anything concerning Thailand", if one does not fancy such postings, then ignore this thread and proceed to your choiced threads, no worries, mate.

I fully support this thread. They are very informative, especially for those who are not so fortunate to gain access to Bangkok Post and Nation, or surf the net.

[trek2]

[QUOTE=rocketscientist]Appeal to threadstarter to stop news postings. Those who wants to read can buy the Bangkok Post or Nation. /QUOTE]


Hey man, after checking his posting here, really must give him pat on his shoulder !
Or rather give the Man A tiger.

Me find it interesting of getting a quick update over at BKK, politically and socially. Well done dude

[KatoeyLover69]

Originally Posted by rocketscientist

Appeal to threadstarter to stop news postings. Those who wants to read can buy the Bangkok Post or Nation. Those not in BKK can surf the web. Dun waste your time doing useless stuff, check the number of hits your post has and we can monitor if anyone comes to read or not. Thank you.

Hey dude, what is your problem ???

If you don't like, don't open this thread at all. Not many people have the time to surf the net just to read Bangkok Post or The Nation.

Who said 'nobody' read the postings ? Already got 11,561 hits as at 5.3.2006

Originally Posted by pomrakthai

I dont find it useless and waste of time to have these news posted.

BTW, this thread is solely dedicated to "anything concerning Thailand", if one does not fancy such postings, then ignore this thread and proceed to your choiced threads, no worries, mate.

I fully support this thread. They are very informative, especially for those who are not so fortunate to gain access to Bangkok Post and Nation, or surf the net.

Prof pomrakthai,

Thank you for your support ! You are one of those Bros whom I can depend on thro' thick & thin and you know that " I ALWAYS STAND SOLIDLY BEHIND YOU ! "

Originally Posted by trek2

Hey man, after checking his posting here, really must give him pat on his shoulder ! Or rather give the Man A tiger.

Me find it interesting of getting a quick update over at BKK, politically and socially. Well done dude

Bro Trek2,

Thank you for your support !

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 5 March 2006 :-

Civil disobedience call to oust Thaksin : Activists to stage protest at Democracy Monument until he quits

By Pradit Ruangdit & Manop Thip-osod

The People's Alliance for Democracy will stage a prolonged demonstration at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra calls it quits. Social critic Thirayuth Boonmi voiced support for the move, urging PAD to adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle for another round of political reform.

Speaking after a meeting to discuss strategies for today's anti-Thaksin rally, PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the alliance resolved to gather at 4pm at Sanam Luang before marching to the Democracy Monument to press for Mr Thaksin to quit unconditionally.

He said the alliance believed Mr Thaksin's address to supporters at Sanam Luang on Friday night was full of distortions and intended to cover up his wrongdoings.

''It was a campaign rally for votes and Mr Thaksin failed to clarify many doubts raised against him. He pleaded for sympathy, reminding people of what he had done for them, despite the fact that for the past five years he has misused his power for personal gain,'' Mr Suriyasai said.

Mr Thaksin's promise to amend the constitution and renew political reform after the April 2 election was designed to keep him in power. In fact, it was Mr Thaksin who had obstructed the political reform process and violated the constitution.

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD core leader, said the pro-Thaksin rally on Friday was a gathering of grassroots people without proper knowledge about Mr Thaksin.

Some were paid 300, 500 or 1,500 baht, depending on travel distances, to join the rally. As many as 3,025 buses and more than 5,000 vans were used to transport Thai Rak Thai supporters to the rally. At least 300 million baht had been spent to take them to Sanam Luang, Mr Sondhi said, without explaining how he reached this figure.

He said transport for provincial supporters to the rally was arranged by Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, the prime minister's former mentor while leading the Palang Dharma party, said Mr Thaksin had divided people in the country. ''Although what we are doing is called an exercise in 'mob rule,' it is legal and constitutional.''

Mr Thirayuth, former student leader in the Oct 14, 1973 uprising, said the people's struggle had developed into a people's alliance for democracy.

The alliance was so effective it had forced the government to dissolve the House after only one year in power.

''The alliance, which has been mature, should adopt steady and prolonged tactics, not quick actions,'' he said.

Mr Thirayuth suggested PAD adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle to fight right violations or oppression.

''Civil disobedience can paralyse the Thaksin regime. Eventually Mr Thaksin will not be acceptable to the people,'' he said.

A demonstration was a way of showing resistance to Mr Thaksin and may be held at a symbol of his power such as Government House.

Meanwhile, Mr Thaksin said in Chiang Mai that everyone has the right to give their opinions but it is the people who decide.

Suranand Vejjajiva, Thai Rak Thai executive, said Mr Thirayuth's call for a prolonged demonstration at government offices such as Government House was undemocratic.

More than 5,000 police will be deployed to maintain law and order during today's anti-government rally, said assistant national police chief Pol Lt-Gen Ashirawit Suphanphesat.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 5 March 2006 :-

Protesters march on Government House

The snowballing protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra entered their fifth week last night with a new strategy: Daily protests until Mr Thaksin resigns.

Mr Thaksin, meanwhile, remained defiant and told a crowd of about 20,000 supporters in Khon Kaen province that he would not bow to pressure.

Late in the afternoon, more than 100,000 anti-Thaksin protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy converged at Sanam Luang. They included students, and followers of the Santi Asoke religious centre led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

The number of protesters looked bigger than the previous rally, despite attempts by state authorities to obstruct people reaching Bangkok from the provinces. Police searched handbags for weapons at checkpoints around Sanam Luang. A 100-strong anti-riot squad, armed with batons and shields, kept a close watch on the cheering crowd.

"The country is in trouble. The more the people are mobilised to show support for the government, the more the country is divided. How can the prime minister remain in the position amid such conflict," said Maj-Gen Chamong, Mr Thaksin's former mentor.

About 9pm, media firebrand Sondhi Limtongul and other PAD representatives mounted the stage and told the protesters they were to move to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House, before returning to Sanam Luang.

"Do not touch the Government Lottery Office. Don't damage things. At Government House, do not force the gate or try to get inside the premises," Mr Sondhi told the protesters.

Mr Sondhi went on to say that Mr Thaksin insisted on not resigning because he had not yet been paid for the Shin Corp shares sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.

The protesters moved from Sanam Luang at 9.30pm, leaving behind only a number of elderly folk.

At 10.15pm, Mr Sondhi and Maj-Gen Chamlong went up on the stage at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue.

About 100 anti-riot police, armed with batons and shields, stood in four rows to block Ratchadamnoen avenue at Phan Fa Leelart bridge, on the way to Government House.

Pol Maj-Gen Pramote Pathumwong, Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief, said he would not let the protesters march on because Suan Amporn, which is on the way, will today be used as a venue for a degree commencement ceremony.

He said he would ask protesters for reasons if they insisted on moving on.

The police, however, finally gave in to the protesters, who managed to push through the police cordon.

Earlier in Khon Kaen, Mr Thaksin furiously resisted calls for him to resign, telling 20,000 supporters packing the provincial stadium in the northeastern province that he would not give in to the protesters' demand.

"Those people have brought down several governments. They are trying to unseat me even though my government has huge support," he told the audience.

"Other prime ministers in the past succumbed to their demands. But I won't. I don't want to set bad precedents," he went on.

He was confident the political impasse would end on April 2 when people go to the polls. The prime minister appears to be targeting people upcountry to build Leg 2on his support. He will visit people in Khon Kaen's Ban Phai district and Nakhon Ratchasima today on his way back to the capital. He said he would stage campaigns anywhere, including the southern provinces, the political base of the rival Democrat party, to counter his opponents. The Democrats, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties are boycotting the poll.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Sunday 5 March 2006 :-

Boutique exclusivity - 13 rooms on five floors

A new boutique hotel called Luxx is opening in the heart of Bangkok on Decho Road, aiming to draw young and trendy travellers from Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

The hotel is really an "accommodation", as it features only 13 rooms in a five-storey building, transformed from a house.

The two owners are from well-known Bangkok families.

Dusadee Srichevachart is the son of Anek Srichevachart, who runs the Thai Sin inbound tour operator and Uni Thai outbound operator. Anek is president of the Thai Travel Agents Association and the owner of several apartment buildings.

His partner, Korpon Leopairote, is the son of Manu Leopairote, former permanent secretary for the Industry Ministry.

"We developed this property with a total cost of Bt15 million, excluding the building's value," said Dusadee.

He said that his main target would be travellers who live in big cities in Europe, the US and developed Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. The hotel's average rates are between US$60 and $120 (Bt2,300 and Bt4,600).

Korpon said Luxx expected higher than 50-per-cent occupancy in its first year.

"This is our first step into the hotel business. We plan to add more properties in Thailand and overseas. We are looking at Pattaya and Hua Hin.

"We also want to open hotels in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan," Korpon said.


Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[Jun|ch|]

Originally Posted by KatoeyLover69

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 5 March 2006 :-

Civil disobedience call to oust Thaksin : Activists to stage protest at Democracy Monument until he quits

By Pradit Ruangdit & Manop Thip-osod

The People's Alliance for Democracy will stage a prolonged demonstration at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra calls it quits. Social critic Thirayuth Boonmi voiced support for the move, urging PAD to adopt a ''civil disobedience'' style of struggle for another round of political reform.

Great thread in my opinion for those who want to get info,but a hassle to read it from the newspapers.Keep it up!!

[Ronski]

Something funny to share but I'm not sure whether I'm in the correct thread
http://www.f0nt.com/temp/

Enjoy!

[KatoeyLover69]

Originally Posted by Jun|ch|

Great thread in my opinion for those who want to get info,but a hassle to read it from the newspapers.Keep it up!!

Bro Jun l ch l,

Thank you for your support !

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 6 March 2006 :-

Bakeries battle for market share : Rising popularity of coffee-flavoured buns

As the fad for coffee and green tea fades, coffee-flavoured buns from Singapore and Malaysia are gaining in popularity.

Seven brands from Thailand's neighbours have been launched in the last three months: Crystal Jade, My Bread, Bread Talk, Roti Boy, Mr Bun and Papa Roti. Roti Boy has become a local phenomenon.

Also jumping on the bandwagon is Coffee Dome, with hot-selling pastries from its first outlet on the ground floor of the Carrefour hypermarket's Rama IV branch.

Fast Freight and Forward Co was set up to run Coffee Dome outlets in Thailand with registered capital of two million baht.

The former chief operating officer of the Singaporean bakery brand Roti Mom is leading the venture with a group of Thai electronics and IT entrepreneurs.

Kelvin Goh, who is now marketing director of Fast Freight & Forward Co, said the company would initially import frozen dough from Singapore for processing in Thailand.

However, it plans to produce its own dough at a bakery in Chanthaburi starting next month.

Business is likely to be brisk for Coffee Dome. Since it opened, more than 3,500 buns have been snapped up each day _ and customers have no qualms about waiting in line for the snacks.

Following the positive response, the company plans to open between 40 and 50 more Coffee Dome outlets throughout the country, including Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima.

But if one can't wait, Coffee Dome products can also be found in some Carrefour, Tesco Lotus and Tesco Lotus Express outlets and at all outlets of The Mall department stores.

To increase customer satisfaction, the company also plans to offer a delivery service at some Tesco Lotus express outlets.

Asked whether the popularity of coffee-flavoured buns was just a fad, Mr Goh said: ''Although coffee and bread may not be every Thai's ideal way to start the day, the popularity of the two products has continuously increased.

''Our products are made from a combination of both, so demand for coffee buns is not just a fad.''

Apart from opening in the local market, the company plans to sell franchises in Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Also making a grab for a portion of the market is President Bakery Plc, the manufacturer of Farmhouse bread.

Managing director Apichart Thammanomai said the company was interested in expanding via retail channels to get closer to customers, rather than using a wholesale approach.

To cash in on market demand for fresh bakery goods, President Bakery opened its first Farmhouse Fresh outlet in the Asok area earlier this year.

Its approach to products is similar to Roti Boy's, but it claims its products are different and more varied.

The company plans to open five Farmhouse Fresh outlets in Bangkok this year.

Mr Apichart said the company would also expand its wholesale business in 2006 and it would relaunch its logo soon to reaffirm its brand image.

President says its business isn't threatened by the new market entries, and expects operations to grow this year by 18%, on par with 2005.

Sales of President Bakery last year increased 18.7% to 2.14 billion baht with a 42.2% increase in net profit to 191.49 million baht.

President Bakery shares closed on Friday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 89 baht, up four baht, in trade worth 535,000 baht.

[U-Need]

522 words
6 March 2006
English


BANGKOK POST:

- Agricultural group Betagro is aiming at 20 per cent growth in consolidated sales this year driven by meat industry investments.

- Asia Pacific Potash Corporation, a Thai-Canadian joint venture, is confident it will be granted a potash mining licence in Udon Thani over the next 18 months after 12 years of delays due to opposition from local villagers and conservationists.

- The National Credit Bureau (NCB), the new entity that emerged after the consolidation of the country's two existing bureaus, is proceeding with its plan to expand its capacity now that the merger has been completed.

- Listed companies posted 2005 net profits of 537.39 billion baht, an increase of 13 per cent from the year before, according to the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

- The inbound tour operator Diethelm Travel Asia has announced four promotions in what chief executive John Watson described as a move towards entering a new phase of operation.

- Sales of housing priced around five million baht a unit have slowed by 20 per cent due to the current political climate, according to Supalai Plc.

- An expected explosion in converged technology has been making Internet Protocol (IP) platforms one of the communication industry's hottest markets and has led Nortel of Canada to expand its presence in Southeast Asia.

- Thailand's spa-treatment export industry, particularly to Japan, has great potential given the growing taste worldwide for Asian products, says a Japanese expert.

THE NATION:

- Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's speech at Sanam Luang on Friday seemed crucial to all parties: to anti-Thaksin protesters it was a shout of defiance at their demand for him to step down, to Thaksin supporters a show of guts in his counter-attack on the dark powers ranged against him.

- Intense competition involving both local players and foreign firms has prompted the Internal Trade Department to draw up proposals for the Cabinet concerning a revision of the Competition Act.

- True Corp Plc hopes to operate a new cellular service with licences from the telecom regulator in order to escape from the terms of its existing concession.

- A new boutique hotel called Luxx is opening in the heart of Bangkok on Decho Road, aiming to draw young and trendy travellers from Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

- Kasikorn Research Centre estimates that Bt2 billion-Bt3 billion will pour into the printing industry ahead of the national elections in April, at least a 284.62-per-cent increase on what was spent during last year's polls.

- A central clearinghouse for accommodation reservations is being set up by the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce and the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association ahead of a big three-month horticultural expo beginning late this year.

- CP Seven Eleven Plc has to delay its plan to branch out of Thailand, particularly to China, due to changing business circumstances.

- Home-builder Pre-Built Plc expects its revenues to total Bt2.7 billion, up 30 per cent from last year's Bt2.1 billion, according to chief executive officer Chaiyarat Thampeera.

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, Mar 5 (TNA) – Thailand's physical landscape is beginning to suffer the annual seige of summer, the predictably hot weather that always seems hotter than in years before. And the torrid weather associated with cloudless skies means the onset of summer diseases, the Ministry of Public Health warned Sunday.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Public Health has implemented measures to contain the diseases associated with the summer months and prevent illnesses which normally occur during the annual hot season.

The ministry has ordered its officials to set up "Mr. Clean" teams to inspect markets and food stalls nationwide to ensure sanitary of markets and the cleanliness of prepared foods being served, to prevent possible outbreaks during the summer months.

The common illnesses during summer are diarrhea, food poisoning, dysentary, typhoid fever, rabies, and cholera, according to Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat.

More than 1,200 mobile teams are also available on a standby basis to inspect areas where the new infections are found, in order to prevent the spread of the six major seasonal maladies, he said.

Drought in some areas also increases the risk of speading of illnesses related to unclean food and drinks.

Consumers and health volunteers alike are warned to maintain the cleanliness of public toilets--as well as private homes and offices--as one of the preventive measures against dry season diseases, as unsanitary surroundings provide favourable conditions for the development of disease.

Mr. Pinij said consumers are also warned to wash their hands before meals and eat only well-cooked food. Owners of dogs, cats and other pets are advised to vaccinate their pets to protect them from rabies .

Acting Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr. Prat Booyawongwirote said that there were 12,308 reported cases of these diseases in January and February nationwide, but no fatalities. Most of them -- 10,831 cases -- suffered food poisoning followed by dysentary with 1,171 cases and typhoid fever with 281 reported cases. (TNA)-E004

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, March 5 (TNA) - A poll conducted by Bangkok's ABAC Poll Centre says most of the respondents have voiced their opinion that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should not leave politics but that he should remain leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

The poll, conducted yesterday among 1,284 people living in Bangkok and surrounding areas above age 18, said 47.5 per cent of the total respondents were of the opinion that Mr. Thaksin should not end his political career while 28.9 per cent thought otherwise.

Over half the respondents -- or 54.5 per cent of the total -- said Mr. Thaksin should retain leadership of the Thai Rak Thai Party while 14.4 per cent disagreed, saying that either caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan or former deputy prime minister Purachai Piumsombun should assume the post of party leadership.

Regarding Mr. Thaksin's sincerity in undertaking political reforms, nearly 40 per cent -- 38.1 per cent of the total respondents -- said they believed he was sincere while slightly over one in four persons -- 28.4 per cent --did not believe in his sincerity.

The poll also found that 50.7 per cent of the total respondents were concerned about the falling economy, the possibility of a coup d'etat and terrorism resulting from political turmoil, while about one-third -- 29.7 per cent -- remained indifferent.

The poll also asked to identify the most appropriate third parties to serve in settling the current political standoff, the respondents said either Privy Council president Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, former prime minister Anand Panyarachun or Privy Councillor Gen. Surayudh Chulanond are suitable for the job. (TNA)-E111