Samak becomes pale when shown his picture taken with Prapass

Febuary 22, 2008
Thailand

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej became pale when reporters showed him his picture s which he took with Field Marshal Prapass Jarusathien following the massacre of student activists on October 6 1976.

"Is that me? I didn't know I took this picture. I didn't know when I post for this picture and why," Samak exclaimed when seeing the picture.

Reporters showed him the picture when he was giving a weekly interview to Government House reporters.

The reporters asked him to comment on the opposition's plan to demand him to tell the House of his role during the October 6 event.

Samak insisted that only one student was killed at Sanam Luang and said he could not remember why he told Thai students in France that many students were killed.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30066176

Samak gives wrong information about eucalyptus

Samak gives wrong information about eucalyptus

Quote "As a farmer from Australia, I do know about eucalyptus trees and their effect on farming. PM Samak says, "The roots will also act as fertiliser for the rice."

This is total nonsense.

Eucalyptus trees suck the guts out of the land. The roots release a substance that inhibits the growth of other plants; not even grass grows around eucalyptus trees.

So where does he get his information? From businessmen who are looking for a quick return, without caring for the future and the environment? This is misleading information.

OZ FARMER"  end quote

From Bangkokpost's postbag
http://www.bangkokpost.com/220208_News/22Feb2008_news23.php

DSI chief to be transferred

DSI chief to be transferred

Febuary 22, 2008

My take: This is so normal. Whoever rules, they are going to put their people in the position where they can take advantages or make decisions that benefit the ruler. This is Thailand!!! Never mind the system. Rulers define the system. EOF

Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat has signed an order to transfer the director-general of the Department of Special Investigations to become acting secretary-general a new agency of the ministry, a well-informed source said.

The source said Sunai Manomai-udom would become acting secretary-general of the Office for the Prevention and Suppression of the Corruption by Government officials.

The order will take effect on Monday.

The source said Sompong would also make Thawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board acting DSI director-general.

The source said Sompong would later propose the Cabinet to appoint new DSI chief and new secretary-general of corruption prevention and suppression office.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30066186

Airport faces rocket-attack threat

Book a window seat if you plan to use Suvarnabhumi Airport next Saturday, as you may get a chance to witness the most spectacular pyrotechnic show of mass fireballs and balloons shooting by outside.

February 17, 2008

Victims of the airport's development yesterday threatened to release balloons and home-made rockets the whole day in protest against the delay by the government and the airport's owner, Airports of Thailand, in paying them compensation for their misery.

"Yes, we are concerned about the possible chaos and ruining of the country's image, but we have no other choice," villager leader Somchart Manathamsombat told the press conference.

The villagers first threatened to float balloons up the flight path last September and were rewarded with some success. The government and AOT agreed to set up a tripartite committee to resolve outstanding issues.

But after a long wait, they decided to prod the new government into fulfilling past promises with a scarier weapon, local fireballs or bang fai.

"We smell insincerity from AOT in solving our problems. While we are suffering from severe noise pollution, there has been no significant progress from the committee's work but 10 meetings," Somchart said.

"What we need is nothing special: we're just asking AOT to follow the January 2 Cabinet resolution. What we get is AOT insisting that it will act only when its board of directors gives its approval," he said.

The Nation

Chirmsak stops hosting radio talk following threat

My take: It's time for Thailand to have public radio!!

Former Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong Wednesday gave up hosting in his daily radio talk show after he criticised Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for allegedly covering up the Thammasat University massacre of October 6, 1976.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who supervises the Public Relations Department, telephoned production house Fatima Co to give notice that he might not extend its airtime contract, a company source said.

The explanation given was that the show's content had to be adjusted to match the new programming schedule, the source said.

The company asked Chirmsak about Jakrapob's reason. He understood the situation by withdrawing as a radio host, the source said.

"Chirmsak's Views" was broadcast from 8-9pm on FM105, which is under the PRD.

The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30065295

SATELLITE BROADCASTS: Samak raises legal grey area

PM-elect says MVTV should have same right to air policy debate as ASTV while law remains unclear

February 3, 2008

Incoming prime minister Samak Sundara-vej yesterday raised a legal grey area related to satellite television broadcasts.

He said he would allow MVTV, the station run by anti-coup activist Veera Musigapong, to broadcast the upcoming policy debate live, even though the law on the issue remains unclear.

"Although the satellite broadcast is still an unresolved issue, ASTV has received a court injunction to allow the broadcast, pending completion of a judicial review, and MVTV should get the same kind of protection," he said in reference to the litigation involving anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul.

Samak said he planned to amend relevant laws in order to clear up legal issues over satellite broadcasts.

He spoke after a meeting with leading activists from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, including Veera, Natthawut Saikua and Jatuporn Phromphan.

Veera and his fellow activists spearheaded the launch of satellite station PTV, to counter the anti-Thaksin movement. The station was later transformed to MVTV when crusading against the September 19 coup.

Its activists called on the prime minister to congratulate him on his appointment.

Veera said his meeting with Samak was a courtesy call, and he did not lobby for any positions for his group as alleged by a clique of People Power members of Parliament from the Northeast.

A source said Samak exchanged views with the activists over the position of government spokesman and two deputies.

Jatuporn is tipped to become spokesman and Natthawut a deputy. The two are expected to work under the supervision of designated Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, an alliance leader and former spokesman in the Thaksin government.

The Nation