BANGKOK: -- - The biggest problem for Jaruvan Maintaka is that she
knows too much - about corrupt politicians, shady tycoons and
multimillion-dollar rip-offs. And that may well cost Thailand's ``Iron
Lady'' her job as the country's first auditor-general. Jaruvan
has been locked out of her office and had her salary frozen, but she
refuses to resign unless King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorses the
government's pick to replace her. In a move with few precedents, the
revered constitutional monarch hasn't signed off on the nomination. The
case has heightened political tensions, generated debate about possible
rifts between the government and Royal Palace and focused the spotlight
on massive corruption in and around the regime of Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra.
A Thai man faces up to eight years prison on charges that he killed an endangered stork.The greater adjutant stork's population is estimated at only 500 worldwide.The
53-year-old has been charged with hunting, possessing wildlife and
carrying a firearm without authorisation in northeastern Buriram
province.The man reportedly shot the bird while he was driving his pick-up truck past Huai Sawai reservoir in Buriram.With
only 500 adjutant storks left in the world, mainly in South Asia, the
bird was the first one sighted in the wild by bird watchers in Thailand
in 40 years.
BANGKOK: -- Gold prices have risen over the last five days, with the domestic price including the goldsmith fee exceeding 9,000 baht and expected to increase further well into next year on expectations of more hikes in interest rates, a weaker baht against major currencies and high oil prices."Retail gold trading is very quiet right now, as nobody is buying and selling,'' said Jitti Tangsithpakdi, president of the Gold Traders' Association and Chin Hua Heng Goldsmith outlet."Due to relatively expensive gold prices, buyers are reluctant to purchase, while sellers are waiting for the prices to go up further.''The price of ornamental gold soared to 8,750 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grammes) since Sept 10 compared with 8,600 baht in early September. When taking into consideration the standard 300-baht goldsmith fee, it is 9,050 baht....
BANGKOK: -- Private investors are flocking to grasp big opportunities seen in areas around Suvarnabhumi Airport and Pattaya, and many property projects – both big and small – are in the pipeline, developers told a seminar last week. Entitled “The Development and Business Opportunities around Suvarnabhumi International Airport”, the seminar was organised by Airports of Thailand Plc, The Nation and BizWeek by Krungthep Turakij.Teerachon Manomaiphibul, assistant managing director of Property Perfect, said the new airport would attract many business activities, including air transport services, aerospace equipment, manufacture of chemicals and electronics, freight forwarding, warehousing, delivery businesses, car rental, printing, contracting, building services, parking lots, hotels, travel businesses, machinery and mailing....
BANGKOK: -- A group of over 20 reporters and photographers from the Post Publishing PCL. made a statement against attempt to hold majority stake by entertainment conglomerate GMM Media. Wearing black shirts with the message “Bangkok Post, Post Today : Not for Sale” these newsmen gathered at the Government House to hand out a statement against heavy-handed interference by businesses in editorial independence. ...
BANGKOK: -- These pets don't have to be housebroken because they won't fit in your house.But not just anyone can own an elephant, says Laithongrian Meephan, 47, owner of the Ayutthaya Elephant Farm, 70km north of Bangkok, who is selling about 20 of them.Prices start at two-million baht apiece for the beasts, which he promises are well bred, well trained, well behaved and a source of luck.The sale of wild elephants is forbidden by law, but the Ayutthaya ones on sale are domesticated, the offspring of an "elephant wedding" held several years ago.There are about 140 elephants, including 40 calves, at the farm, where they put on shows and give rides to tourists. -- Sapa-AP 2005-09-20
We joined Police Colonel Somnook, the Chief of Pattaya Police at house number 106/16 in Soi 17, South Pattaya where he made a major drugs seizure and arrested three men. Two of the arrestees are British Nationals, Mr. Martin Ward aged 39 and Mr. Paul Bangle aged 42. The other man is a Thai, Khun Songlan aged 26. A total of 10 kgs of Marijuana, and 334 Packets of Cialis, which is similar to Viagra, which were later found to be fake, were seized. ...
PHUKET: -- A Singapore-based budget airline is to launch a four-times-a-week service to Phuket from October 25, and will be offering special low one-way fares (excluding taxes) of S$22 (520 baht) until December 15.The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes the flights by Jetstar Asia, an affiliate of Australia’s Qantas Airways, will attract many Singaporeans to Phuket during the high season.Suwalai Pinpradab, Director of the Phuket TAT Office, told the Gazette she expects tourism to Phuket to return to normal from October: “Korean Air and Asiana plan to fly here from October 16, and we have 40,000 bookings already from Korea.”Phuket Vice-Governor Supachai Yuwaboon said he expected events such as the Vegetarian Festival to boost tourism and help the hotel industry.“Phuket tourism is growing fast, from what we have seen at TAT road shows to many countries in Asia and Europe. Tourists from those countries will come to Phuket again,” V/Gov Supachai said.--Phuket Gazette 2005-09-20
BANGKOK: -- Deputy Chart Thai party leader Chuwit Kamolvisit yesterday called on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stamp out the prostitution-riddled massage business within the next few years. Earlier widely known for having run several lucrative massage parlours in the Ratchadaphisek road area and nearby, Mr Chuwit suggested Mr Thaksin introduce legislation to criminalise the "modern-day'' massage parlour business, which, he said, not only involves the flesh trade but harbours other illegal dealings.''For the sake of our young generation, the premier should come up with a bill to put an end to all massage businesses in the next three years. Modern-day massage is not only prone to prostitution but encourages gambling and other vices,'' said the maverick lawmaker.About 20 business people currently own leading massage parlours in the Ratchadaphisek road and New Phetchaburi road areas, Mr Chuwit said....
BANGKOK: -- Plan by BMA to rearrange street addresses in 25 districts spurs complaints from unhappy residents. In the face of growing complaints, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday suspended the city administration’s plan to rearrange the street addresses of some one million homes and businesses in 25 districts across the capital. “We have put the plan on hold after we received complaints from some residents,” Apirak said. He said he had assigned Deputy Bangkok Governor Panich Vikitsret to meet with and gather information from affected residents. The governor said Panich would study the problems and forward information to him for a review within the next few weeks. “Then we will decide whether to scrap or go ahead with the plan,” Apirak said. ...
