Thailand Tiny Diary 2012

MILKY TEAM

Preface
! ! Everything change everyday everywhere in the world. Thailands population is more than 60 million people, which is just 1% of worlds population. We are a small country but with many activities. You can explore Thailand in the year of 2012 with us right away.

This Diary collected news from a main English newspaper in Thailand, Bangkok Post and The Nation.

CHAPTER 1

JANUARY 2012
January 1: ! - King urges Thais to learn from oods January 2: ! - Heavy rain, ash oods hit South! - FLASH FLOODS HIT 3 PROVINCES IN SOUTH January 3: ! - Flooding brings grief to more southern provinces! - GIVE ALL PARTIES A SAY IN MANAGING WATER: PANEL January 4: ! - Floods halt air, rail services ! - Ministry debt relief sought ! - Pressure-cooker year beacons for Thai politics! - SOUTH REELS UNDER FLOODS January 5: ! - Govt shifts B1 trillion in debt to BoT ! - Get a ticker to ride everywhere! - GOVT DEBT POLICY WILL MAKE THE CURRENCY 'WORTHLESS' ! - Army takes the plunge as Nakhon Si Thammarat battles oods January 6: ! - Govt debt move takes ak ! - Pheu Thai says public should steer charter push!

- BANK STOCKS PLUNGE ON FIDF DEBT TRANSFER PLAN! - HM the King's charal works performed in French January 7: ! - 2 trillion urged for infrastructure ! - Burma keen to prove it's open to foreign investors! - FAMILIES MAY GET BT5M EACH ! - VAN CRASHES INTO TRAILER: SIX DEAD, SEVEN INJURED ! - BLAIR TO DELIVER ADDRESS AT BOL'S January 8: ! - Poor English skills could leave Thais out in cold ! - THE MOUNTING OF THE SOUTH'S SEEMINGLY LOST CAUSE! - BT350-BN FLOOD MEASURES TOO EXPENSIVE: EXPERTS ! - Govt must announce new protections for depositors: Korn January 9: ! - - Korn slams 'dictatorship'! - PM willing to consider rival charter change plan! - OFFICIALS, PM FACE BLAME FOR FLOODING January 10: ! - Govt softeds CNG price increase! - GAS FLOAT A FEATHER IN GOVT CAPl January 11: ! - Smith warns of dam peril! - GOVT DEFIES CRITICS, PASSES ON BT1.14 TN DEBT TO BOT January 12: ! - B2bn fails to soothe victims' kin ! - Customs ofcial probed after assault at airport security! - GOVT COMPENSATION OFFER FAILS TO ASSUAGE RIVALS ! - Low public debt will cushion Thailand against future crisis, says economist January 13: ! - FIRST KEYHOLE SURGERY PERFORMED IN SIRIRAJ HOSPITAL!
3

- Compensation tab looks set to mount ! - Anti-graft body hands down charge against Supoj! - BOT HAVE STRUNG BY DEBT: CRITICS January 14: ! - US, Israel issue severe terro alert ! - Govt frees top political inmates! - CHALERM DEMIES THREAT OF TERROR ! - Supreme Patriarch wants adults to set a good example January 15: ! - Police believe terror suspect roaming city ! - US POISED TO RESTORE FULL TIES WITH BURMA! - HEZBOLLAH 'CALLS OF ATTACKS' ! - KIDS TAKE OVER AT GOVT HOUSE FOR CHILDREN'S DAY January 16: ! - PM assures public of safety ! - PACC casts wide net over corrupt ofcials! - GOVT MOVE TO LIMIT FALL-OUT ON TERROR ! - CRACKDOWN ON ILLIGAL IMPORTS OF LUXURY VEHICLES January 17: ! - Police seize chemical cache ! - Court won't halt increase in gas prices ! - Britain's ex-PM Blair teaches Thai children! - EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS SEIZED January 18: ! - Cabinet rejig 'repays favours' ! - Wichean sceptical about bomb suspect attack plots! - DRASTIC OVERHAULING FOR CABINET ! - Ex-Thaicom CEO named energy minister January 19: ! - Clock ticking for cabinet !
4

- Wikipedia goes dark to protest bill ! - Nalinee says US blacklist won't affect her portfolio! - NEW MINISTER ON US BLACKLIST ! - US EMBASSY MAINTAINS TERROR THREAT WARNING ON ITS WEBSITE January 20: ! - Sukumpol targets coup law changes ! - Govt warned over THAI, PTT stakes! - PM BACKS NALINEE DESPITE US BLACKLIST January 21: ! - Police chief rejects Atris set-up claim ! -Strategists urge Nalinee to quit January 22: ! - Terror case suspect 'had explosives in two houses' ! - Police raid on actress's hose nets 1Gn drugs haul January 23: ! - Nalinee refuses to quit ! - Govt's debt plan slated for its bad economics! - TABLET PROJECT UNDER PRESSURE ! - Nitirat group wants 20MPs on draft panel ! - NALINEE DENIES ANY BUSINESS DEALS WITH THE MUGABES January 24: ! - Thirachai says govt debt data massaged ! - EU lifts visa ban on cabinet, govt ofcials! - KITTIRATE UNDER FIRE ON DECREES ! -NEW HEADS OF STATE SHOULD BE SWORN IN: NITIRATE GROUP January 25: ! - PM vows to protect lese majeste law ! - Three killed in reworks blast ! - Embattled Nalinee asked to lift the naion's image!
5

- PTT UNION UP IN ARMS OVER GOVT SALE PLAN ! - Life-saving researchers ! - BAG TOP THAT AWARD January 26: ! - Fireworks blass toll hits 4 ! - Suspect ties top military ofcer to drugs gang! - SUPHAN BURI FIREWORKS DISASTER AFFECTS 500 January 27: ! - Governor on notice about ood threat ! - PM wants trade deal inked! - BMA, GOVT TO JOINTLY HELP KEEP CITY DRY ! - IMPLICATIONS OF EURO-ZONE CRISIS FOR ASEAN DISCUSSED IN DAVOS January 28: ! - Senators to ght FIDF debt switch ! - Historic case sees stateless kids freed! - PRASARN AT EASE WITH DECREE ! - FORMER STUDENT ACTIVIST SEKSAN BACKS AWAY FROM THE NITIRAT GROUP January 29: ! - Chalerm warns drug networks of crackdown ! - LIVING IN THE UGLY SHADOW OF THE KAENG SUA TEN DAM! - EUROPE IS ON TRACK: BANKERS January 30: ! - Nitirate defends royal stance ! - ICT to lay down law on Twitter accounts! - BURMA VOWS TAX INCENTIVES ! - CALL FOR URGENT ACTION IN CHARTER CHARGE PROCESS ! - Bank customers have nothing to fear from premium hike, Kittirat says!

January 31: ! - South shooting sparks outrage ! - Thammasat bans Nitirat activity on uni grounds ! - Mum compansated for son killed in custody! - NO CAMPUS CAMPAIGN, NITIRAT TOLD ! - YUTHASAK DOUBTS SHOOTING VICTIMS WERE INNOCENT

CHAPTER 2

FEBRUARY 2012
February 1: ! - Rangers 'killed civilians' ! - Familie's grief turns to anger! - Thammasat ban on Nitirat sparks free speech row! - PRAYUTH REGRETS SHOOTING February 2: ! - Ranger killing seen as revenge! - TOP CEMENT COMPANIES SPREADING THEIR WINGS February 3: ! - Nitirat ban splits student body ! - Sukumpol urges equal payout ! - UN Nalinee surprises PM! - THAMMASAT 'IS OPEN' TO ACADEMIC EVENTS ! - ARMY, POLICE BLAMED FOR EGYPT'S SOCCER 'WAR' February 4: ! - Govt places ood battle before crops ! - Prison ofcals, police launch major raid on Bang Kwang jail ! - Dying woman gets last wish! - REVOLUTION LOOMS FOR THAI DIGITAL TELEVISION ! - Victims of state violence in South to be compensated

February 5: ! - DSI backs bid for prison phonetaps ! - NANA THUGS STRIKE FEAR INTO ELDERLY STROKE OWNERS February 6: ! - Thammasat to reconsider ban ! - Politicians score big with football clubs! - THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY TO REVIEW NITIRAT BAN ! - SEVERE COLD SNAP IN EUROPE CLAIMS AT LEAST 300 LIVES, DISRUPTS TRAVEL February 7: ! - Activists defy army chief ! - Greek PM told time is running out! - FLOODWALL PLANNED FOR CHAO PHRAYA ! - UNIVERSITIES AGREE TO PUSH BACK START OF ACADEMIC YEAR FROM 2014 February 8: ! - PM leads new ood agency ! - US relaxes sanctions on Myanmar ! - Greeks strike sgainst harsh austerity action! - GOVT ESTABLISHES SINGLE ANTI-FLOOD COMMAND February 9: ! - Charter push a risky game ! - Jatuporn in mass protest call to deter coup plotters! - GOVT, HOUSE RULE OUT ARTICLE 112 AMENDMENT ! - DON'T RUSH IN, CAUTIONS SUU KYI February 10: ! - BMA under re over illegal hotel ! - Massive car bomb hits Pattani ! - Thaksin foe socked in eye demands PM act! - NO PLAN TO SELL PTT: KITTIRAT !
9

- DEADLY BOMB-LADEN PICKUP WAS PARKED OUTSIDE PATTANI GOVT OFFICE FOR 2 DAYS February 11: ! - PM's ood trip 'set to be washout'! - 'NO PUBLIC ROUTE' TO CHANGE ARTICLE 112 ! - Prem, Yingluck seen side by side for second time February 12: February 13: ! - Panel approves aid for South victims ! - Whitney Houston dead! - 'THE FUN THEY HAD' ! - TRAGIC FALL OF A SUPERSTAR February 14: ! - Minister issues water warning ! - Uni lifts ban on Nitirat grout ! - Adele wins 6 Grammys! - CHARGES ON BANKS 'BAD FOR FISCAL DESCIPLINE' ! - SUCHART WELCOMES 'DONATIONS' TO SCHOOLS February 15: ! - Three bomb blasts rock city ! - Residential area becomes warzone! - BLASTS RATTLE BANGKOK February 16: ! - Bombers 'part of terror group' ! - Blogging 'motorist' nds fame ! - Iran denies any link to blasts points nger at Israel! - BOMB PLOT DEEPENS February 17: ! - Airport brace for attacks ! - Suspect parties in Pattaya !
10

- ICT nds fault with CAT, True tie-up deal! - BOMB EXPERT TRAINED SUSPECTS ! - Security tightened at Israeli Embassy February 18: ! - Police seek 2 more over blasts ! - Business leaders fret over 'high risk' nancial label! - WORLD BODY BLACKLISTS THAILAND! - Warrant sought for fth suspect in blasts February 19: ! - Police nd bomb gang's motorcycle ! - Democrats turn up heat on PM over meeting! - SECURITY TIGHTENED IN PATTAYA ! - RECONCILIATION STARTS WITH COMPROMISE: ANNAN, AHTISAARI February 20: ! - Democrats call for PM-Sasiri probe ! - Flood projects won't nish before rains! - WARRANT ISSUED FOR FIFTH BOMB SUSPECT ! - DON'T IGNORE PUBLIC INPUT AS WE AWAIT THE NEXT BIG FLOOD February 21: ! - Police probe 'Sejeal' bomb link ! - Committe scraps inquiry into Supoj's missing cash! - BLACKLIST MAY PUSH UP LOCAL BANK COSTS ! - STICKERS AT 'BOMB HOUSE' ALSO FOUND ON ROUTHE TO HOTEL February 22: ! - Govt waits for ruling on decrees ! - PM urged to clarify hotel meet! - MALAYSIA ASKED TO HAND OVER IRANIAN !
11

- PHEU THAI MP 'PROVES' YINGLUCK, SRETTHA FOUR SEASONS MEETING WAS ABOVE BOARD February 23: ! - Govt ood loads get nod ! - Embattled RID chief shifted to deputy post! - DECREES GET COURT APPROVAL ! - Govt move was warranted by the situation: judges February 24: ! - HM TO BE BRIEFED ABOUT WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS! - Kittiratt urges mindset change! - PM SLAMS 'NONSENSE' ATTACKS, SUES RIVALS February 25: ! - King says greed a factor in oods ! - Uncorked Chalerm accused of being drunk in House ! - Jatuporn is wrong over 1976 photo! - ECONOMY GETS A PAT ON BACK FROM IMF ! - SURANAND HIRED TO PROVIDE 'CORRECT IMAGE' FOR THE PM February 26: ! - Chalerm: It's normal to drink but I wasn't drunk ! - PTTEP LAUNCHES ENTHUSIASTIC BID FOR LONDON ENERGY CORP! - GOVT 'TO HEED HM ON FLOODS' February 27: ! - Deputy PM hits back at 'drunk' jibe ! - Three more Iranians arrested in Feb 14 bomb probe! - INEQUALITY MUST BE CORRECTED, SUU KYI SAYS February 28: ! - Army orders probe into torture claims ! - Govt to spend B3bn on forest restoration!

12

- GOVT TO NAME FLOOD CATCHMENT ZONES ! - PM'S JAPAN VISIT AIM TO RESTORE INVESTORS' FAITH February 29! - Thaksin ally in push to axe courts ! - NACC orders freeze on Supoj assets ! - Sondhi sentenced to 20 years for fraud! - CHARTER INTRIGUE DEEPENS ! - REFORM IN BURMA IS IRREVERSIBLE, SAYS PRESIDENT THEIN SEIN'S AIDE

13

CHAPTER 3

MARCH 2012
March 1: ! - Court ghts off attack ! - Nitirat core leader attacked at Thammasat ! - Residents suffer setback in noise battle! - NITIRAT LEADER ASSAULTED, VOWS TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN ! - JUDICIARY COMES OUT IN DEFENCE OF THE COURTS March 2: ! - Hopewell collapse sparks probe ! - The train route that went nowhere ! - Twins confess to attack on Nitirat leader! - HOPEWELL SECTION CRUMBLES ! - FLOODS FORCE ASIAN INSURERS TO REAPPRISE RISKS IN THE THAI MARKETS March 3: ! - Charter change draws ire ! - Police seize 4 million speed pills in Chiang Rai March 4: ! - City blaze prompts safety fears ! - PUSH TO END DISSOLUTION GAINS SUPPORT! - BID TO OUST AMENDMENT SUPPORTERS ! - FIREMAN INJURED BATTLING BLAZE IN ASOKE HIGH-RISE

14

March 5: ! - No ticket home needed ! - Fire-ravaged city building declared a no-go zone! - VILLAGERS WANT COURT TO HALT FLOOD BARRIERS ! - HOT SPOTS INSIDE BURNT HIGH-RISE HOSED DOWN March 6: ! - China rm wins tablet PCs contract ! - Fico re spurs sprinker law for over 1,000 old buildings! - TABLET BIT 'WINNER' OFFERS $81 PER UNIT ! - PM WARNS GOVERNERS TO ACE ON HAZE March 7: ! - Muramoto kin get payout ! - Solders turn themselves in! - REVIEW OF POST-COUP AEC CASES PROPOSED ! - YINGLUCK DENIES REPORT SHE WILL VISIT FAMILY OF SLAIN JAPANESE CAMERAMAN March 8: ! - PM heartens Japanese investors ! - Supinya calls for code of conduct on company gifts! - PM REASSURES JAPANESE ON FLOOD-CONTROL MEASURES ! - YINGLUCK IS SAFE FROM ARMY, SAYS THAKSIN March 9: ! - Payouts get court nod ! - Girl's death costs bus rms B10m ! - Women take 40% of top exec posts! - PAD VOWS TO PURSUE REFORMS March 10: ! - Protesters want 'fair' rape probe ! - Illegal modications ngered as cause of deadly hotel blaze! - BOT SEEKS BALANCE IN CAPITAL FLOWS !
15

- Hotel re investigation focuses on sprinkler system! - REFINERS TOLD TO BUILD UP OIL STOCKS ! - Crackdown victims start to sign up for compensation March 11: ! - PAD shelves mass rally over charter ! - FOR PETCH, A TABLET A DAY KEEPS THE BOREDOM AT BAY March 12: ! - Immigration deects criticism ! - Japan marks one year since earthquake, tsunami! - 17 DAYS OF LIVING ANXIOUSLY ! - JAPAN MARKS 1 YEAR SINCE QUAKE, TSUNAMI DISASTER March 13: ! - Red-faced govt calls new PC bid ! - Govt considering water retention payouts! - US, CHINESE DELEGATES VOW TO HIKE INVESTMENT ! - '$40 BN NEEDED YEARLY' IN ASIA TO HELP CLIMATE March 14: ! - Thais worry about food, net feuds ! - Emergency care will be free for all from April 1 ! - Government urged to look beyond state employees! - 'ALL HOSPITALS' BACK EMERGENCY CARE PLAN ! - Anudith: No Huawei in nal round of tablet bidding March 15: ! - Freeze sought on 'militant land' ! - Govt probes surge in food prices! - PANEL COY ON NAMING SUPPLIER OF TABLETS ! - GOVT ALLOCATES UP TO BT115M SUBSIDY TO CHECK COOKING PALM OIL PRICE RISE March 16: ! - Single-airport policy ends !
16

- Yingluck says Panita move not politically motivated! - BUDGET AIR TO FLY FROM DON MUEANG ! - COMPANIES GO TO COURT AGAINST GOVT BT300 MINIMUM DAILY WAGE ORDER March 17: ! - Fuel subsidies set to stay ! - Taxi driver returns gold ! - India link to Bangkok plot! - GOVT ACTS TO SOOTHE PRICE FEARS ! - Good deed earns cabbie gold worth Bt200,000 March 18: ! - PM pledges to ease price pressure on consumers ! - Thailand's third richest man, Chaleo, dies at 89 March 19: ! - Grassroots power stiffens ! - Deep South governance bill criticised! - HI-TECH FLOOD FIGHT IN ALL KEY RIVERS ! - POOR NO LONGER WILLING TO BE TOLD TO SACRIFICE BY WEALTHY: THEERAYUTH March 20: ! - City moves to examine older roads ! - PM reaches out to south women! - GOVT MAY PONDER MORE FREE TABLETS ! - Ex-Channel 7 boss takes Miss Universe Thailand to Channel 5 March 21: ! - KPI warns unity looks out of reach ! - Sukumpol says innocents killed ! - Private rms predict 'Took Jai' shop failure! - FIRST TABLETS LIKELY TO ARRIVE IN APRIL ! - Cabinet approves 15 days paternity leave ! - Bt628m Andaman coast projects get Cabinet okay
17

March 22: ! - Cold pill scandal widens ! - Central bank to strike new exchange rate for the kyat ! - Court clears Boonjong in vote-buying case! - RECONCILIATION METT EXPOSE DIVISIVENESS ! - Drug-crime busters held for 'possessing drugs' March 23: ! - Sonthi 'must yield coup secrets' ! - Siege ends as police kill gunman ! - Education out of step with labour market! - SONTHI'S IRONIC RECONCILIATION ROLE GETS PM'S BOOST ! - BTS APOLOGIES FOR GUARD'S CLASH WITH IRISH PASSENGER March 24: ! - Yingluck insists she will stay on as PM ! - Economy needs to be rebalanced, says Kittiratt ! - House panel will not vote on KPI proposal March 25: ! - PM demands House discuss unity ! - BANGKOK, SEOUL SEAL 900BN BAHT TRADE DEAL! - PANEL EASES STAND ON KPI REPORT ! - LPG TANKER ACCIDENT REVIVES MEMORIES OF 1990 March 26: ! - Court say no red shirt bail talks with Thaksin ! - Troops comb Thachilek town after golf course blasts! - 'FIGHT LOOM OVER EMERGENCY CARE' March 27: ! - True-CAT 3G deal found 'tainted' ! - Democrats pull out of unity panel! - GOVT RECONCILIATION MOVE IN THE BALANCE ! - Shadow play treasures RETURN TO THAILAND

18

March 28: ! - Gold miner faces concession risk ! - Man claims B300,000 of limes stolen ! - Firms told to pay or leave ! - KPI report priority sees House in uproar! - RECONCILIATION REPORT SPARKS HOUSE TURMOIL ! - NMG offer iPads, deals at book fair March 29: ! - Private hospitals fear 'chaos' ! - Democrats warn of court action over amnesty bill ! - Twin sisters are brothers! - HOUSE DEBATE LIKELY NEXT WEEK ! - TEN KILLED AND 52 INJURED IN TWO UPCOUNTRY SMASH-UPS March 30: ! - Democrats 'robbed' of charter vote ! - Police buy rst anti-riot truck from S.Korea! - 'MAYBE THEY ALL MUST DIE FIRST' March 31: ! - Suu Kyi says poll will not be fair ! - Tax cut for wine agged ! - DSI drops anti-monarchy chart case for lack of proof ! - KPI warns off self-serving MPs! - BURMA VOTE UNFAIR, SAYS SUU KYI!

19

CHAPTER 4

APRIL 2012
April 1: ! - 14 die in southern carnage ! - THE DOCTOR BEHIND THE LADY! - BOMBS WREAK HAVOC IN SOUTH April 2: ! - Suu Kyi party proclaims victory ! - Police identify bomb suspects, warn of further attacks! - ALERT FOR CAR BOMBS IN THE SOUTH April 3: ! - Prayuth calls for inclusive peace talks ! - Suu Kyi lauds 'people's victory' ! - Chaikasem mage SEC chief! - SUSPECTED BOMBERS IDENTIFIED IN SOUTH ! - SUU KYI HAILS 'NEW ERA' AMID SCENES OF JOY IN MYANMAR April 4: ! - Bounty put on Hat Yai bombers ! - SBPAC denies talks with rebels ! - Censors ban 'Shakespear' lm ! - Sex-change Jenna has to prove gender! - INSTITUTE WARNS OF 'RECONCILIATION WAR' ! - TOURISM OUTLOOK UNAFFECTED BY BLASTS, TAT SAYS

20

April 5: ! - Police arrest 7 bomb suspects ! - House debates KPI report despite warnings ! - Troops won't leave temple are area for now! - SOUTH BLASTS: POLICE ARREST 3 ! - GOVERNMENT IGNORES KPI'S CAUTION, GOES AHEAD WITH RECONCILIATION DEBATE April 6: ! - Thaksin 'talked to rebels' ! - Two-hour power lunches on the menu ! - US to relax restrictions on Myanmar investment! - SUTHEP SUGGESTS NATIONAL RECONCILIATION REFERENDUM April 7: ! - KPI under pressure to drop unity study ! - Resistant malaria spreads to border! - ABHISIT IN '2-FOR-1' OFFER ! - TAT, TOURISM OPERATORS MAP OUT HAT YAI RECOVERY April 8: ! - Govt rejects demand for unity debate ! - Thaksin denies courting separatists! - Prasarn rips into upswell of populism ! - Thaksin targets 'auspicious' homecoming ! - Transvestite ned for topless dance April 9: ! - Nation bids farewell to princess! - DID THAKSIN MEET INSURGENTS? April 10: ! - His Majesty says goodbye! - A FINAL FAREWELL TO LATE PRINCESS

21

April 11: ! - Royal urn placed in Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall! - Fuel price rises hit motorists ! - Charter talks lead to disorder in the House ! - Civil servants get pay rise! - MORE DOUBTS CAST ON TABLET PURCHASE DEAL April 12: ! - Tsunami terror grips region ! - Tourism sector braces for fallout! - TSUNAMI SCARE April 13: ! - Thaksis targets birthday ! - Cambodia to pick up Thaksin bill ! - ICT minister rejects claims! - TSUNAMI PANIC TO HAVE ONLY MINOR IMPACT ON TOURISM ! - THAKSIN'S TWO-FOLD MISSION TO LAOS April 14: ! - Amnesty row widens ! - Pilot's protest not affecting ight, Thai Airways says! - NK ROCKET TEST DRAWS WIDE FLAK ! - ROAD TOLLS HITS 58; ALCOHOL SINGLE BIGGEST CAUSE April 15: ! - Sonthi slams critics over rumours he want's PM job ! - Three suspects arrested over two bombings in Yala! - IRAN NUKE TALKS LOOK PROMISING ! - Water festival draws crowds across country April 16: ! - N KOREA'S YOUNG KIM VOWS TO PUSH FOR 'FINAL VICROTY' ! - TOO SOON TO COME BACK, BUT IT'S A GOOD YEAR, THAKSIN SAYS

22

April 17: ! - Thaksin eyes a third way home ! - Govt forms new ood agency to help crisis communication! - GOVT TO SET UP FLOOD CENTRE ! - SONGKRAN DEATH TOOL VOW OVER LAST YEAR AS MILLIONS RETURN TO BANGKOK April 18: ! - RECONCILIATION PUSH WILL WAIT FOR CHARTER CHANGE ! - Accused serial hangs himself! - Phuket tremors to last a month! -TWO NEW GEOLOGICAL FAULTS FOUND IN NORTH April 19: ! - PAD kicks off charter war ! - Pickup truck serial killer's nal victim is himself ! - PAD kicks off charter war April 20: ! - EU to lift Myanmar sanctions ! - Police chief, 30 ofcers survive Narathiwat blast! - TABLET PROJECT IS IN JEOPARDY April 21: ! - Minimum wage 'will go national' ! - Chinnicha hit with ve-year politics ban! - SHOWDOWN LOOMS FOR BOT POST April 22: ! - PM Yingluck hails Japan's $7.4bn aid to Mekong ve! - PM URGES JAPAN TO BACK DAWEI PLAN April 23: ! - Thai rice trade faces peril ! - Dogs escape the butcher but hundreds die in shelter!
23

- Dearth of hospital staff ahead of AEC ! - JAIL CHIEF TRANSFERRED AFTER ANTI-DRUG RAID April 24: ! - Red shirts divided over Prem meet ! - Porn pic wasn't sent by AV staff! - THEIN SEIN: NO PLANS TO CHANGE THE OATH ! - PM INSISTS THIS WEEK'S MEETING WITH PREM HAS NO POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE April 25: ! - Millions in line for debt relief ! - Panel votes for organic law to govern CDA election ! - Eight injured in Narathiwat bomb attack! - THIDA WARNS GOVT ON COSYING UP TO 'ELITE' ! - Trans gender's candidature a new rst for provincial poll April 26: ! - China, Korea linked to pill scam ! - MPs plan to query charter change legality ! - VIRABOGSA THROWS HIS HAT INTO BOT RING ! - COURT WILL SEE 'ABSENTEE VOTING' PARLIAMENT VIDEOS April 27: ! - Prem meet raised red shirts' ire ! - Shan drug lord suspect nabbed in Laos, set to China! - THAKSIN FLYING TO ENGLAND FOR MANCHESTER DERBY ! - NMG chief Sutthichai outlines ambbitious growth strategy April 28: ! - Key govt gures head to far South ! - Top brass China visit secures joing missile deal! - VIRABONGSA CALLS FOR HIKE IN VAT ! - Cellular operators hop to cash in on iPad ! - NO POLITICAL ISSUES DISCUSSED WITH PREM: PM

24

April 29: ! - Govt to boost border trade in deep South ! - THAT SINKING FEELING OF UTTER DISBELIEF! - THAKSIN BACK IN UK, EYEING US ! - NAKHON SI THAMMARAT CHIEF VOWS PRISON CLEAN-UP April 30: ! - WORSE IS YET TO COME ! - PM calls for unity to x South ! - Prachatai court verdict out today! - TEACHERS OVER 40 MAY DELAY TABLET USE ! - Little cheer for workers on Labour Day

25

CHAPTER 5

MAY 2012
May 1: ! - Cooking gas price to oat ! - Activists call for improved legislation on Labour Day ! - Development think-tank warns wage hike awed! - HIGHER LIVING COSTS EAT UP HIKE IN DAILY WAGE May 2: ! - Govt insists ination rate 'acceptable' ! - Economists pan govt but PM hits new high ! - Yongyuth hints as posts for returning 111! - EXPERTS GIVE POOR RATING TO GOVT'S ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS ! - JAKRAPOB WROTE THE ARTICLES, LESE MAJESTE TRIAL TOLD May 3: ! - Hydroplanes to land on Chao Pharya as offering to King! - JATUPORN POISED FOR PROMOTION TO CABINET? May 4: ! - Reshufe on the cards ! - Yingluck adamant on Mae Wong dam ! - Suu Kyi joins parliament! - IDEA OF PRICES RISING A MISCONCEPTION: PM ! - MURDER SUSPECT SHOT DEAD BEFORE COURT TRIAL May 5: ! - Pheu Thai failed us, say red shirts !
26

- Delay to laws against dirty money, terror eroding faith ! - Govt blamed for price rises! - GOVT PUSHED FOR LAWS ON MONEY LAUNDERING ! - DAM MORE USEFUL AS PADDY FIELD THAN WATER SOURCE May 6: ! - Three killed in factory explosion ! - Government seeks halt to BTS deal! - THEIN SEIN 'MAY DECLINE 2ND TERM' May 7: ! - Toxic fears grip Rayong locals ! - Islamic delegation's visit tipped as game-changer in conict! - HAZARD ALERT AFTER FATAL BLAZE ! - Factory should 'lese license' May 8: ! - Locals slam response to factory blast ! - PM says price remarks 'twisted' ! - Pornanong bags her rst LPGA tourney! - OPPOSITION RE-EMERGES TO MAP TA PHUT PROJECTS ! - EX-THAICOM CEO SUES INTOUCH OVER ALLEGED SHARE DEAL May 9: ! - THEIR MAJESTIES SCHEDULED TO VISIT AYUTTHAYA! - Fuel prices, fares frozen ! - Ex-CAT boss faces threat of legal action over 3G deal ! - Sadness, outrage after Uncle SMS dies! - DEATH OF 'UNCLE SMS' PUT GOVT IN FOCUS May 10: ! - Reds told not to exploit Ampon's death ! - Oxen predict lots of rice, food ! - Newin invited to banned politicians' meet !

27

- Russian 'superjet' missing! - GROUP STEPS UP BID TO CHANGE ARTICLE 112 May 11: ! - Cooked food prices face cuts ! - ICT Ministry nally inks deal for tablets! - BT1-BILLION TABLET DEAL INKED May 12: ! - Anti-HIV pill draws near ! - Spotlight on middlemen in food price row ! - PM adamant she will not reform lese majeste law! - YOU CAN BE TOO YOUNG TO LEARN ! - CHINATOWN RESIDENTS FIGHT PROJECT NEAR TEMPLE May 13: ! - Govt says consumers can expect lower prices ! - VENDORS SLAM PRICE CONTROLS ON FOOD AS IMPOSSIBLE May 14: ! - Karun gives up truck protest ! - Drug trace from behind bars booms! - GOVT WAS WARNED: DAM PLAN VIOLATES THE LAW ! - YELLOW SHIRT'S LONG HAUL IN BID TO DODGE ARREST ! - RAYONG LOCALS DEMAND ACCIDENT-WARNING SYSTEM May 15: ! - Govt sends back meal price plan ! - Virabongsa tipped to be central bank chair ! - Photo not rape, says Prayuth! - VIRABONGSA GETS NOD TO CHAIR BOT ! - SECOND READING OF CONSTITUTIONAL BILL FINALISED AFTER 15 DAYS OF DEBATE May 16: ! - Pheu Thai set to welcome 111 !
28

- Firms want price curbs to end ! - Army under re for sex pic remarks! - RISING COSTS: 4-MONTH RETAIL PRICE FREEZE ! - SUKHUMBHAND, 3 OTHERS NAMED IN COMPLAINT ON BTS May 17: ! - Execs vow to swell ranks of Pheu Thai ! - Prayuth rells UDD not to set up villages! - UNCHANGED LOYALTY ! - MONEY-LAUNDERING GREY LIST YET TO HURT ! - Temple must pay if project is scrapped, company owner says May 18: ! - DSI links 25 riot deaths to military ! - Yingluck won't turn away returning execs ! - Myanmar marks gay pride! - HUMAN RESOURCES 'THE BACKBONE OF A COMPANY' ! - CENSUS SYSTEM CRASHES May 19: ! - Jatuporn banned as MP! - CONSTITUTION COURT DISQUALIFIES JATUPORN AS A PARTYLIST MP May 20: ! - Thaksin: Let's put unity before justice ! - COURT SET TO BEGIN 2010 RIOT INQUESTS! - RED SHIRTS CALL FOR JUSTICE ! - Three red groups compete for allegiance from villages May 21: ! - Red shirts' affair with Thaksin cools ! - Govt commits to massive investment in Dawei port! - REAL 'BRAIN OF PHEU THAI' WILL KEEP A LOW PROFILE ! - 'DIRTY TRICKS' AHEAD OF MAE WONG DAM HEARING TODAY
29

May 22: ! - THAI sacks Piyasvasti as president ! - Ministry orders school to enrol pupils, launches bribe inquiry! - SACKING OF PIYASVASTI STIRS DOUBT, CRITICISM ! - THAKSIN AT OODS WITH REDS OVER CALL FOR JUSTICE May 23: ! - Aircraft deal cost THAI head his job ! - About-turn over school's places triggers uproar among parents ! - Supoj resigns transport post! - EXCITEMENT BUILDS IN AYUTTHAYA ! - FIRED THAI BOSS FEARS ACHIEVEMENTS WILL BE UNDONE May 24: ! - King to be presented historic Ayutthaya land by Yingluck! - Yingluck will donate paddy land to the King! - Union wants answers on THAI axing ! - Govt makes rst payouts to violence victims today! - SUPHOTH'S QUITTING WILL NOT INFLUENCE THE PROBE May 25: ! - EXCITEMENT RUNS HIGH AS VILLAGERS PREPARE TO GREET THEIR MAJESTIES ON THEIR VISIT TO AYUTTAYA PADDY FIELD! - NACC nds against Supoj ! - Lady Gaga hits cabaret amid Rolex tweet fury ! - Lawsuit furore mars compo ceremony! - SUPHOTH TO LOSE BT17.5 CASH, GOLD May 26: ! - Kings makes historic return! - RETURN OF THE KING May 27: ! - PAD calls for mass protest ! - 'DEATH HOTEL' DOOMED AS DEMOLITION GETS UNDER WAY
30

- PAD TO STAGE RALLY ON WEDNESDAY May 28: ! - Sonthi bill labeled as unconstitutional ! - Thein Sein pulls pin on visit to Thailand! - PHEU THAI FACES HARD DECISION ON UNITY BILL ! - SoLoMl TO SHAKE UP MARKETING SECTOR May 29: ! - PM urged to clarify unity bill stance ! - Govt says WEF not threatened by protests ! - Post, Nikkei tie up content sharing partnership accord ! - Transgender wins PAO seat! - PHEU THAI MPs SUBMIT 3 RECONCILIATION BILLS ! - SUU KYI TO BE FOCUS OF INTEREST AT ASIAN WEF May 30: ! - New unity bills stir suspicious ! - Post News denies NBT breach ! - Democrats back PAD rally! - SUU KYI VISIT BRINGS HOPE TO LOCAL MYANMAR COMMUNITY ! - CHINA CENTRAL BANK OKAYS YUAN-YEN TRADING May 31: ! - MP's brawl in unity bill chaos ! - Chiranuch convicted, but escapes jail term ! - Migrants ock to see Suu Kyi! - SUU KYI GETS TASTE OF HOME AWAY FROM HOME ! - Corruption main reason for Thailand's fall in competitiveness ranking

31

CHAPTER 6

JUNE 2012
June 1: ! - Unity bills given urgency /! - Asean urged to improve economic, transport ties! - ASEAN PLEDGE FOR GREATER CONNECTIVITY ! - HOUSE VOTE FOR DEBATE OF RECONCILIATION BILLS June 2: ! - Charter vetting put on ice ! - PAD protesters claim victory ! - Suu Kyi stresses people-rst policy! - COURT PUTS CHARTER CHANGES ON HOLD ! - SUU KYI URGES WORLD TO KEEP PRESSURE ON NAY PYI TAW June 3: ! - Red urged to ght for stalled bill ! - YOU WON'T BE FORGOTTEN, SUU KYI PROMISES REFUGEES! - REFUGEES NOT FOR GOTTEN: SUU KYI June 4: ! - Charoen threatens to defy order ! - Court brushes off impeachment calls! - COURT CLARIFIES ITS STAND ON CHARTER AMENDMENT June 5: ! - Petition drive to back bill push ! - Plane hits residential area, all 153 on board dead!
32

- ABHISIT URGES END TO HOUSE SESSION ! - BUDDHISTS MARK VISAKHA BUCHA DAY June 6: ! - Charter bill deadlocked ! - Relations unhurt by Suu Kyi visit, says govt! - US NAVY SEEKS USE OF U-TAPAO ! - CONTROVERSIAL BILL, CHARTER CHANGE VOTE OFF THE AGENDA, SPEAKER SAYS June 7: ! - Court insists law is on its side ! - Pheu Thai plans charter vote! - MPs MAY DEFY COURT ON CHARTER BILL AND SEEK VOTE ! - NBTC STEPS IN AMID TRUEVISIONS FEARS THAT ITS SUBSCRIVERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WATCH EURO 2012 June 8: ! - State attorney backs govt ! - NBTC orders TrueVisioins to air Euro 2012 footie ! - DSI says skytrain extension deal likely to be nullied! - MPs SET TO CONDEMN RULING BY TOP COURT ! - SPANISH SET OUT TO ACHIEVE HISTORIC TREBEL AT EUROS June 9: ! - Charter row ounders in legal brawl ! - Viewers left in dark as Euro 2012 kicks off ! - Police ware public over acid-spray attacks! - His Majesty to inaugurate monument to his late brother ! - VIEWERS IN SUSPENSE AS EURO TALKS DRAG ON June 10: ! - HM UNVEILS KING RAMA VIII STATUE! - PM promises independent assessment of damages ! - Football fans, are you receiving me?
33

June 11: ! - TrueVisions seeks end to Euro row ! - Scrap dealer arrested for 'acid' throwing attack! - VIEWER HELD 'HOSTAGE' IN EURO TELECAST DEBATE ! - MYANMAR GOVT WARNS OF 'ANARCHY' IN RIOT-HIT RAKHINE June 12:! - NBTC issues TV football spat threat ! - Yingluck wants charter change bill vote delayed ! - Mob violence erupts as racial fury sweeps Rakhine state! - HOW FAR WILL SOMSAK PUSH DEFIANCE OF COURT? ! - US EVACUATES STAFF AMID EMERGENCY RULE IN RAKHINE June 13: ! - PM gives hope to reds over charter ! - TrueVisions refuses to pay Euro 2012 ne! - GOVT RETREAT AVERTS A CRISIS - FOR NOW ! - TrueVisions' Euro 2012 ne kicks off June 14: ! - Uefa kills True rebroadcast bid ! - Suthep says Thaksin sent 'negotiator' to him! - THAKSIN HIT WITH COURT CASE OVER KTB LOANS ! - BLANK SCREENS FOR TRUE-V SUBSCRIVERS BUT SUSPICIOS LINGERS OVER UEFA CALL June 15: ! - Yongyuth faces axe in reshufe ! - Art school shut after deadly bus shooting ! - Refugees in need of food, water, shelter! - FOREIGNERS 'SKIRTING RULES PROTECTING RICE BUSINESSES' ! - DSI MAY GET INVOLVED IN DISPUTE OVER EURO MATCHES

34

June 16: ! - Red shirts plan show of strength ! - Grammy boss hopes footie spat about to be resolved! - FINAL UEFA APPEAL LAUNCHED ! - Govt cloud service to ease agencies' access to citizens' personal data June 17: ! - Suu Kyi vows to ght on ! - Deaths of two sisters on Phi Phi a 'mystery' ! - BUS STAFF COMMUTERS BRAVING THE BATTLE LINE! - PANEL TO DISCUSS USE OF U-TAPAO ! - NEBEL PEACE PRIZE OPENED UP A DOOR IN MY HEART, SUU KYI SAYS June 18: ! - Thaksin pins hopes on unity bills ! - Accused bus shooter nabbed ! - Police still bafed over death of sisters! - HELP ALL CANCER PATIENTS, EXPERTS URGE GOVERNMENT ! - CABINET TO DEBATE BT6.8BN IN BONESES FOR OFFICIALS June 19: ! - U-tapop use gets armed forces' nod ! - Abhisit backs Suthep allegation that Thaksin aides came calling! - CABINET TO DISCUSS US PROPOSALS ON U-TAPAO ! - Programmer is rst Thai to join twitter software team in US June 20: ! - Myanmar eyes further reforms ! - Yingluck denies govt backing off on U-tapao ! - Kin want autopsies delayed! - CABINET DUCKS DECISION ON USE OF U-TAPAO AIRBASE ! - Bare-breasted model hired to boost show's ratings: report

35

June 21: ! - Airlines get big discounts for move to Don Mueang ! - Suspect in murder of 5 killed in shootout! - NOD FOR NASA PROJECT HANGS IN THE BALANCE June 22: ! - US gives U-tapao deadline ! - Jatuporn tipped for by-election! - NASA SETS TUESDAY DEADLINE ! - DALAI LAMA AND AUNG SAN SUU KYI MEET IN LONDON June 23: ! - Blackout threatens hub status of Suvarnabhumi ! - PM shrugs off deadline for Nasa U-tapao climate plan ! - Jatuporn says willing to run in poll though risks bail loss! - GOVT 'NEEDS TO STUDY NASA PLAN' June 24: ! - KILLER OF TOURIST TOLD TO SURRENDER June 25: ! - Navy denies hosting Nasa gear ! - Key witness to gun attack shot dead ! - Red shirt petition near 100,000 names! - CHINESE MINISTER: ASEAN CAN SHAPE POWER PLAY IN E ASIA ! - Two popular state news show get new life on Nation TV June 26: ! - Surapong warns of Nasa loss ! - Pregnant migrants to be sent back home ! - Two arrested for murder of Australian woman! - Nasa says study open to inspection ! - CASH REWARD FOR ARREST OF PHUKET MURDERERS! - NASA PLAN MAY FACE PARLIAMENT SCRUTINY ! - AIRASIA TO SHIFT TO DON MUEANG BY OCT
36

June 27: ! - Cabinet sends Nasa plan to parliament! - MPs TO DEBATE NASA PROJECT June 28: ! - Policymakers brace for eurozone knock ! - Dems decry Nasa study blame-game ! - Drug giants team up on 'shark oil boost' jab! - THAILAND REMAINS MAJOR CENTRE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING ! - Victims plumb depths of misery in quest of a better future in region June 29: ! - Pull of unity bills urged ! - Nasa scraps U-tapao plan for climate research ! - Govt's B1.6 trillion infrastructure bill heads of House! - NASA CALLS OFF WEATHER RESEARCH PROJECT ! - VIRABONGSA WANTS BOT TO DEAL WITH BT420-BN LOSS June 30: ! - Sonthi won't pull unity bill ! - Amlo wants stricter rules to open bank accounts! - COURT DECLINES TO ORDER EURO BROADCASTS ! - SPECIAL BONDS PROPOSED TO FUND REFORESTATION

37

CHAPTER 7

JULY 2012
July 1:! - PM's export projections questioned ! - Animal prophets for prots are upsetting rights groups! - Little boy has matured into a media pioneer ! - Sports broadcast wars set to heat up July 2: ! - BAHT NOW STEADY BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN July 3: ! - Pheu Thai offered lifeline ! - New royal motorcade rules to be introduced! - PARTIES NOW AT CORE OF IDEOLOGICAL BATTLE ! - Sweet words from the Army's wary men in the middle July 4: ! - Birthday currency issued ! - Unity bill backers face court order ! - Bad surgery leads woman to hang herself! - THAI TO LAUNCH REGIONAL BUDGET CARRIER IN 2013 ! - SIX TOURISTS AMONG 10 DEAD IN COACH CRASH July 5: ! - Blast, re hit Bangchak renery ! - Cern researchers claim 'God's particle' nd ! - Somsak had charter talk with 'person far away'!
38

- REFINERY WILL NOT BE RELOCATED DESPITE FIRE ! - NMG AND MYANMAR JOURNALISTS DISCUSS MEDIA JOINT VENTURE July 6: ! - Court tackles charter brouhaha ! - PM denies clip incriminates govt ! - TV viewers face Olympics 'black screen'! - SCRAMBLE TO PREVENT BLANK TVs ! - DON'T FOLLOW GREECE'S HIDDEN-DEBT PATH: AMMAR July 7: ! - Court set charter verdict date ! - Airport says runway subsidence ' just wear and tear'! - RUNWAY CRISIS DEEPENS ! - Two legal titans clash over charter change ! - Thaksin gets visa to US July 8: ! - Royal cruise lights up river! - KING OPENS WATER PROJECTS ! - PHEU THAI VOWS TO RESPECT COURT VERDICT ON CHARTER July 9: ! - Cambodia to move troops ! - Physicians say virus likely led to child deaths ! - Thai tourism 'at risk' from Myanmar travel boom! - TIES WITH GENERALS IMPROVING: SUKAMPOL ! - UNCLEAR AIRPORT POLICY TAKING A TOLL July 10: ! - Troop recall a ploy, army source says ! - Olympics to air for everyone ! - Cambodian kids died of strain detected in Thailand! - TIGHT SECURITY SHIELDS JUDGES !
39

- NEW FLOOD BARRIER AT BANG PA-IN INDUSTRIAL PARK 'AHEAD OF SCHEDULE' July 11: ! - Reds await ruling, hint at rally! - MANY INDUSTRIAL ESTATES STILL NOT FLOODPROOF ! - THAI ENCROACHERS TO BE FREED WHEN FINES PAIN July 12: ! - TIGHT SECURITY FOR VERDICT July 13: ! - Police brace for red-shirt trouble! - IMF CHIEF HAILS THAI RESILIENCE ! - PHEU THAI BREAK-UP WOULD DEAL A BLOW TO GDP GROWTH: STUDY July 14: ! - Ruling set to halt charter bill push ! - Both camps claim victory after ruling! - COURT KEEP UP SUSPENSE July 15: ! - KING'S CONDITION IMPROVES, BUT MEDICATION STILL NEEDED! - Pheu Thai seeks change to power of the judiciary ! - PHEU THAI CONSIDERS OPTIONS ON CHARTER ! - ASEAN AND NEW MARKETS TO CUSHION IMPACT OF SLUMP IN EXPORTS TO EURO ZONE, SAYS KITTIRATT July 16: ! - Dissolve court, Nitirat demands ! - Judges to review Korkaew's bail! - MISERY IN 'LITTLE MYANMAR' ! - Full injury compensation denied July 17: ! - Govt MPs rm on charter push !
40

- Sathit Chula suspends classes ! - Adul appointed national top cop! - PHEU THAI STILL BACKS A DRAFTING ASSEMBLY ! - PM OUT ON A LIMB WITH ADUL APPOINTMENT July 18: ! - More virus-hit schools to shut ! - Cabinet opts to wait for full court ruling ! - Grandma pleads self-defence ! - Lese majeste suspect admitted to hospital! - POLICE SET TO DEPLOY AT BORDER TEMPLE July 19: ! - TROOPS WITHDRAW FROM TEMPLE ! - SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT CONGESTION EASES July 20: ! - NACC plans ood project monitoring ! - DSI willing to sue over bomb detectors ! - Abhisit threatens to sue over draft-dodging allegation! - THAIBEV INVESTS IN F&B GIANT ! - SICK CAMBODIAN CHILDREN SET HOME FROM SA KAEW July 21: ! - Bomb blast spurs security crackdown in deep South ! - Ayutthaya king's tomb set to be destroyed ! - Execs deny knowledge of any takeover as shares soar July 22: ! - 92 THAIS IN MYANMAR FACE PRISON SENTENCES ! - SENATE EX-SPEAKER SUGGESTS HOLDING REFERENDUM July 23: ! - HFMD virus tested for mutation ! - Thein Sein visits deep-sea port !

41

- Fugitive Vatana appeara at Chinese temple! - CHAO PHRAYA'S GREAT WALL July 24: ! - Thein Sein, PM ink deal on sea port ! - HFMD test result for toddler due out today ! - Stocks slip on EU debt fears! - SWEEPING COOPERATION DEAL WITH MYANMAR ! - THAI FIRMS EARMARK BILLIONS FOR NEIGHBOUR July 25: ! - Pheu Thai leaders push radical charter overhaul ! - NACC moves to seize assets worth B65m from Supoj! - RICE SUBSIDY WEIGHS ON GOVT'S ECONOMIC RECORD ! - STRAIN OF HFMD KILLED TODDLER, DOCTORS SAY July 26: ! - Critics blast top cop's Thaksin trip ! - KTB loan scandal goes to court ! - Dengue jab moves big step closer! - RESHUFFLE: YINGLUCK MAY TAKE DEFENCE July 27: ! - HFMD suspected in boy's death ! - Ministry touts ambitious 500bn baht logistics plan ! - Arabs greeted with garbled welcome signs ! - Ministry admits export faffe! - 'CUT COURT OUT OF ANY REWRITE' ! - NORTH KOREANS FUME OVER FLAG FIASCO July 28: ! - REGULATORS MUST KNOW WHEN TO SAY 'NO' ! - ABHISIT SUE SUKAMPOL FOR LIBEL OVER CONSCRIPTION July 29: ! - Ambush in South kills for soldiers !
42

- DEMOLITION MEN IN NIGHT FOREST RAID! - 'UNABASHEDLY BRITISH' July 30: ! - Forces scour South for attackers ! - Hundreds ee chemical blaze fumes! - 'Like' it? Buy it ! - FACEBOOK: GATEWAY FOR ENTREPRENEURS July 31:

43

CHAPTER 8

AUGUST 2012
August 1: ! - Car bomb attack hits Pattani hotel ! - Pimsiri says King inspired silver success! - CENSURE DEBATE COULD TARGET PM YINGLUCK ! - MIGHTY EFFORT FROM 'TAEW' HELPS HER BAG SILVER AT OLYMPICS August 2: ! - Business districts get security boost ! - Shuttlers get boot for striving to lose ! - Court to step up security on ruling day! - NEW MILITARY TACTICS FOR SOUTH ! - PARLIAMENT PRIOIRTIESE 10 BILLS BEFORE PUTTING UP RECONCILIATION DRAFT August 3: ! - Curfew planned for deep South ! - Critics blast ' political ' command centre plan! - TWEETS SHAPE NATIONAL DEBATE ! - SINGAPORE HALTS F&N TRADE ON EVE OF DEADLINE August 4: ! - Govt plans corruption crackdown ! - US wants Juthamas extradited!
44

- THAIVEB READY TO WORK WITH HEINEKEN ! - Dazzling Ratchanok offered multimillion-baht deal August 5: ! - Queen fears for future of deep South amid turmoid! - LIGHT, CAMERA, ACTION! ! - Suffering silently August 6: ! - Hat Yai rms fund security net ! - Army keen to bring Pimsiri into the ranks ! - Golden goodbye for Phelps! - Now you see her, now you don't August 7: ! - DSI lifts lid on rice pledge fraud tactics ! - Graft worse than terror, says NACC! - RICE POLICY DRIVES LAND CLAW-BACK August 8: ! - King loses farmer friend! - Rice scheme is 'pro-rich' ! - LANGUAGE CLASSES BEGIN FOR AEC August 9: ! - Cops brace for bail ruling ! - Kittiratt, Korn spar over rice price schemes ! - One million battle deadly Manila ood! - 'PENTAGON II' SETS STRATEGIES AS PM RULES OUT CURFEW August 10: ! - Govt shrugs off rice probe ! - Millions to cheer on boxer Kaew ! - Court delays bail decision on red bossess until Aug 22! - Huge losses loom in govt rice sell-off ! - Joy as Kaew goes for London gold!
45

- NO NEW IDEAS TO DEAL WITH SOUTH ! - Late-bloomer Kaew last Thai hope for gold August 11: ! - KAEW'S GOD PUSH ! - UPROAD OVER APPOINTMENT OF THIDA TO NEC PANEL August 12: ! - NATION PREPARES MAJESTIC CEMEMONIES FOR THE QUEEN ! - NACC called in on Phuket land grab! - INDIA FUNDS THREE-NATION ROAD ! - THE MAGICOF MUMS August 13: ! - Kaew winds hearts but loses match ! - Hospitals swamped by victims of two quakes! - THAI AGONY ! - He's not the rst to see injustice August 14: ! - Not so bad overall! - Unity as elusive as ever August 15: ! - Govt eases bid rules for ood deals ! - Nikom's win draws suspicion ! - DSI allege GT 200 deceit! - ROUSING WELCOME August 16: ! - Corporate tax breaks under re ! - Court upholds plain packs ! - Anti-graft drive 'making little progress'! - BOT BOARD CHIEF IS 'CAUSING CONFUSION' ! - Populism at expense of scal discipline

46

August 17: ! - Rice farmers' debts surge ! - Govt war on drugs hailed a success! - THE GREAT DIVIDE ! - IMF backs ination targeting: BOT chief August 18: ! - 4 killed in Phuket disco blaze ! - PM Yingluck orders probe as raging res ravage forests! - MONETARY POLICY CAN USE 'A MIX OF TOOLS' August 19: ! - Phuket re cause unclear ! - MAN SEARCHS IN VAIN TO FIND MISSING SISTER ! - HEINEKEN RAISES BID FOR BREWER ! - PM CITES INDEX TO TALK UP ANTI-CORRUPTION RECORD August 20: ! - Dems attack 'failing' govt ! - Fire likely killed 2 Thais, 2 foreigners! - BEAUTY OBSESSION ! - 16 operations in three years: Chiang Mai boy told doctors he wanted nose like singer 'Dome' August 21: ! - DSI probe frustrates army brass ! - Park entrance fee jump 150% ! - Bo's wife escapes death penalty! - MYANMAR PUTS AN END TO MEDIA CENSORSHIP ! - 'SUICIDAL' MAN PREYS ON WOMEN WITH KIND HEARTS August 22: ! - MP's son shot dead in car ! - Prayuth warns of Cambodian Muslim threat ! - Govt raises taxes on alcohol, cigarettes!
47

- HIKE IN EXCISE ON CIGARETTES AND LIQUOR BACKED ! - CALIFORNIA WOW FACING A FLOOD OF LAWSUITS August 23: ! - Cops mull car race killing motive ! - Ten armed men set re to car dealership ! - UK's Prince Harry naked strip pool romp ! - Red shirts accept Jend Dokchik bail loss! - REPRIEVE FOR JATUPORN COMPLICATES RESHUFFLE ! - BEER AND WINE TAX HIKE NEXT FOR EXCISE DEPT August 24: ! - Kittiratt: I tell 'white lies' ! - Chada wants probe into murder of his son sped up! - 'WHITE LIES SOMETIMES NEEDED' ! - LEADING FIGURES BACK PLAN FOR REGIONAL PEACE COUNCIL August 25: ! - Predecessors blast 'white lies' ! - Breivik smirks after landing maximum 21 years' jail! - COUNTING THE COST OF POPULISM ! - Democrats lay out govt's six key 'failings' August 26: ! - Sathian seeks PM's counsel over reshufe ! - Beloved artist angkam dies at 86! - THAILAND MUST WOO CHIAN FDI: BANTHOON ! - NATIONAL ARTIST ANGKARN SAID HE 'BREATHED POEMS' August 27: ! - Sukumpol seeks to end Sathian row ! - Surapong claims hands tied in Thaksin hunt! - GOVT TIES WITH ARMY STRAINED BY LEGAL PLOY August 28: ! - Sukumpol transfers dissenters !
48

- Yingluck defends Kittirat against 'white lies' uproar! - TOP ARMY OFFICERS TRANSFERRED August 29: ! - Sukumpol stands by transfers ! - Actress 'Ploy' accused of dodging tax ! - Gunmen re at passenger train, killing 1! - NO CHARGES IN BOMB-SCANNER CASE ! - Thai indelity claim brings strong denials August 30: ! - Pinpas talls Sukumpol he's sorry ! - Ministry mulls new government centre ! - 'Ploy' blames accountant, regrets vitriol! - 'TAKEOVER KING' PIN ENDS EXILE, BACK IN BANGKOK ! - 'I DESERVE A CABINET SEAT' August 31: ! - Canal drainage test forges ahead ! - Farut murder suspect arrested ! - Rebel suspects behead trader! - BANGKOK'S ANTI-FLOOD EFFORTS HIT BY POLITICS ! - WEALTHEST THAIS BECOME RICHER ! - Passengers to get take-goods warning

49

CHAPTER 9

SEPTEMBER 2012
September 1:! - South hit by multiple attacks ! - Fed will do more, says Bernanke ! - Suspected killer of MP's son says it was self-defence! - YINGLUCK, THAKSIN AT ODDS? ! - FEW CASES OF CABBIES REJECTIG PASSENGERS ON 1ST DAY September 2: ! - PACC CHIEF VOWS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION EVEN IF HE IS MOVED ! - Bombing a 'blow to the economy' September 3: ! - 3 Koh Samet resorts defy court order ! - Poll nds Kittirat should quit! - NEW PAGE FOR BOOK INDUSTRY September 4: ! - Red Bull heir 'admits hit-and-run' ! - Ex-wife, colleagues mourn! - HIT-RUN: TYCOON'S SON HELD ! - PUBLIC CAN MONITOR WATER-DRAINAGE TESTS VIA LIVE FEED September 5: ! - Govt acts over graft claims ! - Cop accused of Red Bull heir cover-up at risk of sack! - ASIAN 'PEACE COUNCIL' IS BORN !
50

- Red Bull heir may face manslaughter charge over failure to stop after hitting policeman September 6: ! - Wages to get national lift in January ! - Democrats threaten to skip Chalerm meet ! - Viagra-like Thai pills on the way! - MINIMUM WAGE BALL IN GOVT COURT ! - AS PM VISITS SOUTH, BOMB INJURES PATROL MARINES September 7: ! - Myanmar, Viernam get drugs blame ! - Police inspector suspended over hit-and-run case! - STATE FIRMS ON LOOKOUT FOR NEW CHIEFS ! - PHEU THAI MAY FIELD KITTIRATT FOR GOV September 8: ! - Call to elect governors in South ! - Govt mulls cancelling half of Red Line project ! - Summit VIPs seek solution to violence! - ECB MOVE LIFTS WORLD STOCKS ! - MINISTRY TO CUT OFFICIALS' ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA September 9: ! - Najib pledges to help solve strife in South ! - GAPING HOLE HALTS NORTHERN RAIL SERVICES ! - Jarupong says Red Line rail section will go ahead! - APEC SEEKS UNITY TO LIFT BARRIERS ! - LOCALS UP IN ARMS OVER TOXIC WASTE DUMPS ! - Myanmar amends FDI law September 10: ! - NGOs ght to block 37 law changes ! - English camps announced ! - Landslides hit North, oodwaters head for Ayutthaya! - CLASH OF ECONOMIC DOCTRINES
51

September 11: ! - Sukhothai oods as levees break ! - Sudarat tempted by city governor post ! - Actress Pawana found dead ! - Monkey in pants gives ier away! - EUROPE FACES MAKE-OR-BREAAK DAY ! - 'Suspicious circumstances' surround death of Pawana Chanajit, the 'Pearl of Asia' September 12: ! - Workers ght to hold back torrent ! - Police, relatives at odds over Pawana death ! - Court will rule on bailout! - 'NO REPEAT OF 2011' FLOOD HORROR ! - Police search for clues in actress' drowning September 13: ! - PM warns provinces west of city ! - US envoy, 3 staff killed in consulate rocket attack! - GERMAN VERDICT EASES WORRIES ! - BANGKOK WARNED OF FLOOD THREAT AS HEAVY RAIN PREDICTED September 14: ! - Chao Pharaya locals brace ! - ThaiBev bids US$7bn for Singapore's F&N group ! - Dog breaks records at 2.2 metres tall! - CHAROEN GUNS FOR TAKEOVER OF CENTURY September 15: ! - Riots spread across Arab world ! - Kittiratt rejects worries that Fed move will hurt Thai economy! - QE3 TO INFINITY ! - RAIN, NOT RUN-OFF, MAIN THREAT TO BANGKOK, SAYS EXPERT

52

September 16: ! - Al-Qaeda calls for more violence ! - Central Group head Vanchai passes away! - PHRAE, LOWER NORTH BATTLE FLOODS September 17: ! - Sukhothai hit by 2nd ood ! - Police tear-gas anti-Japan mob ! - Chalerm to call it quits after this term! - FLOODS HIT SUKHOTHAI AS YOM OVERFLOWS ! - THAILAND AND TOYOTA COUNTING ON EACH OTHER September 18: ! - TRC report blames reds, army ! - Abhisit, Suthep at murder charge risk ! - Chinese govt bids to calm anti-Japan sentiment! - US EMBASSY TO CLOSE AHEAD OF FILM RALLY ! - Thai volleyballers stun China with rst AVC Cup win September 19: ! - PM will act on 'useful' TRC advice ! - Angry Muslims protest video at US embassy ! - Govt accepts proposals from Democrats to quell insurgency! - JAPAN-CHINA ROW MAY HARM ASIAN ECONOMY ! - ANTI-US PROTEST FORCES EMBASSY TO SHUT EARLY September 20: ! - City Hall blasted for ood ! - Cartoons spur France to tighten security at embassies ! - Suthep says DSI murder claim part of amnesty ruse ! - Somsak on B7m junket to Europe! - CHAROEN GIVES UP BID FOR ASIA PACIFIC BREWERIES TO CHASE F&N ! - UN human rights commissioner urges govt to act on TRCT report

53

September 21: ! - Sorayuth faces charge of bilking ! - Tarit insists DSI is not persecuting Democrats! - MORE HEAT ON BMA AS FLOOD PROBLEMS MOUNT ! - Countdown to 3G licence auction kicks off September 22: ! - Opposition mounts to rice scheme ! - Car bomb kills 6, wounds scores in Pattani ! - Worker 'forced to bury corpses'! - 6 DIE, 50 HURT IN PATTANI BLAST ! - RICE SELLERS QUERY GOVT'S OUTPUT FORECAST September 23: ! - Police seize doctor accused of killing 4! - YONGYUTH'S FUTURE IN THE BALANCE ! - SUU KYI REVEALS PERSONAL INSIGHTS IN US September 24: ! - Troubles escalate for Banpu ! - Suvarnabhumi immigration chief says staff is overloaded! - Thousands join drug rehab courses ! - Teen addicts tell peers: Sign up and get straight September 25: ! - Thaksin defends rice programme ! - Court turns down Supat bail request ! - School heads, troops injured in bomb blast September 26: ! - CSD stand-off erupts in violence ! - NACC says Yongyuth cannot be cleared! - HIGHEST RAINFALL IN 50 YEARS; MORE TO COME ! - EXPERTS ENDORSE CENTRAL BANK FOCUS ON STABILITY

54

September 27: ! - Pressure on Yongyuth mounts ! - Army in new bid to get its airship ying ! - Cops on alert for sudden oods in city in 21 spots! - CENTRAL REGION, SOUTH WARNED OF MORE FLOODS ! - Vipas's tale of modern alienation wins SEAWrite ! - Measures to deal with trafc September 28: ! - TDRI head calls for rice plan review ! - Forensics team says skeletons do not match missing couple! - BIG 3 EXPECTED TO DEMINATE AUCTION ! - JOINT PANEL SET UP TO KICK-START DAWEI PROJECT September 29: ! - Yongyuth quits cabinet ! - Gigi begs dad to cancel bounty ! - DNA fails to match couple on two other skeletons! - YONGYUTH ALPINE'S BIGGEST CASUALTY September 30: ! - Yongyuth exit sparks shake-up buzz ! - M79 ATTACK ON FAIR INJURIES 17 IN SOUTH! - PM RULES OUT MAJOR RESHUFFLE ! - Many factors forced Yongyuth out: Democrat

55

C H A P T E R 10

OCTOBER 2012
October 1: ! - BMA accused of ood of failures ! - Democrats claim plot over blocked sewers ! - Ruptured dyke quickly repaired! - HUNGRY? Just heat it and eat it October 2: ! - Tropical storm raises deluge fear ! PM 'won't bow' to House No.111 demands ! - Buakaw vs Manny mooted! - PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE NASA STUDY ! - AirAsia ies out of Don Muang without a hitch October 3: ! - Rice farmers rally against Nida group ! - PM reassigns Yongyuth portfolios to ministers! - RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME COULD 'DOOM YINGLUCK' October 4: ! - PM insists rice scheme stays ! - Asian economies advised to increase productivity! - ONLY 1 THAI VARSITY IN TOP 400 ! - RATE CUT WOULD BENEFIT ECONOMY AND CENTRAL BANK: VIRABONGSA

56

October 5: ! - City braces for tropical storms ! - Yongyuth resigns as party leader ! - Supat faces murder charge ! - Romney gets debate boost as Obama falls short! - SEARCH ON FOR NEXT LEADER OF PHEU THAI October 6: ! - PM unveils $90bn infrastructure plan ! - Police arrest wife of killer suspect Supat! - ANT-RIOT VICTIMS WIN LAWSUIT ! - Deant Sorrayuth quits Journalists Association ! - WEATHER OFFICIAL PLAYS DOWN MINISTER'S WARNING October 7: ! - Industrial sites put on storm alert ! - TUG-OF-WAR ERUPTS OVER MURDER VICTIMS'S SON! - CAPITAL BRACES FOR GAEMI ! SMALLER DAMS BETTER THAN KAENG SUA TEN, SAY LOCALS October 8: ! - Telecoms industry fears new 3G holdup ! - Gaemi loses her bite, but ood preparations continue! - IS IT A 'LOW' RISK? October 9: ! - NBTC vows to go ahead with 3G bid ! - Suspect caught 19 years after Japan slaying ! - Gaemi passes over without feared oods ! - Mobiles banned at ministry! - BACC GETS CASH AMID MORE HEAT OVER RICE SCHEME October 10: ! - Rice scheme ofcials risk court ! - 3 big players qualify, court hurdle looms !
57

- Man wins roach-eating competition, dies! - PHILLIPINE-STYLE TALKS 'NOT SUITED' TO SOUTH ! - WINNERS AND LOSERS EMERGE IN RICE SCHEME October 11: ! - Court rejects rice scheme appeal ! - Doctor faces murder charge after skeleton DNA result ! - Advertisers mull pulling support for Sorayuth! - GLOOM AHEAD OF TOKYO SUMMIT October 12: ! - Boonsong says rice sales 'secret' ! - Court hears 3G petition, bid fate hangs in the balance ! - Thaksin warrant issued! - COURT DEFERS ORDER ON 3G AUCTION ! - JOINT CABINET SESSION WITH VIETNAM THIS MONTH October 13: ! - Confusion hits airport rice plan ! - Crisis-torn EU wins peace prize ! - Court puts off 3G auction ruling, regulator rm on pressing ahead! - THAKSIN PASSPORT 'MAY BE REVOKED' ! - Crisis-ridden EU bloc wins Nobel Peace Prize October 14: ! - Abhisit urges truth about men in black ! - LOW-BUDGET THAI FILM WINS BIG AT ASIA'S TOP FEST! - 3G AUCTION FACES NEW CHALLENGE ! - GREEKS UNIMPRESSED BY EU NOBEL PEACE PRIZE October 15: ! - NSC backs troops rejig in far South ! - City chase ends in drug suspect's death ! - Asia meets Europe to talk business! - Critical condition
58

October 16: ! - Critics fear collusion in 3G bidding ! - 'King-Father' of Cambodia Sihanouk dies of heart attack ! - Europe will stick with the euro, German minister says! - 3G AUCTION SET TO GO AHEAD TODAY AFTER COURT GIVES OK ! - CAMBODIA'S SIHANOUK DIES AT 89 October 17: ! - LACKLUSTRE 3G BIDS SLAMMED BY TDRI October 18: ! - 3G bid results to get nod ! - Romney's move to trip up Obama backres! - PRESSURE ON 3G WINNERS TO CHARGE LOW FEES October 19: ! - Watchdog targets NBTC ! - WINNING 3G BIDS APPROVED ! - MAHIDOL TEAM ACHIEVES STEM-CEL SUCCESS October 20: ! - NBTC will set 3G pricing limits! - NBTC VOWS LIMITS ON 3G FEES SOON ! - Designer writes about 'magic' at Apple October 21: ! - PM in South with vows of big spending ! - DISGRACED EX-BANK CHIEF KRIRKKIAT DIES ! - Three blasts rip Tak Bai! - BBC EX-CHIEF KRIRK-KIAT DIES AT 63 ! - NBTC MEMBER DEFENDS 3G AUCTION, REJECTS BRIBE TALK October 22: ! - Southern attacks spark bloodshed warning ! - TDRI chief slam 3G bid as 'fake' and 'calculated'!

59

- Show scientists THE ROAD ! - Super-rich 75-year-old seeks fountain of youth October 23: ! - Army chief calls for help ! - 'Big three' told to slash fees ahead of 3G services! - THAI-US TIES 'WILL NOT CHANGE' ! - Ties in polls, Obama, Romnye face off in nal debate October 24: ! - Pitak Siam rally hopes to oust govt ! - Obama savages Romney of foreign policy! - CLIFF-HANGER US ELECTION AWAITS October 25: ! - Govt House visitors hint at reshufe ! - Prayuth issues protest warning ! - Thailand slips down to 3rd spot ! - Fugitive trafc cop surrenders! - LINE-UP FOR PM'S THIRD CABINET DUE 'THIS WEEK' ! - TOP MYANMAR PAPER BECOMES THE 22ND MEMBER OF ASIA NEWS NETWORK October 26: ! - PM seeks sweeping reshufe ! - Graftbusters to investgate NBTC over 3G auction! - PM DEFIES THAKSIN ON NEW LINE-UP ! - PepsiCo unveils Bt18.4-bn plan for Thai investment October 27: ! - Reshufe shows Big Four's clout ! - Upsurge in Rakhine, Rohingya clashes leaves at least 64 dead! - EXPORT WOES CLOUD THAI OUTLOOK: MPC ! - FIZZY-DRINK DRIVE CONCERNS HEALTH ADVOCATES

60

October 28: ! - Govt shrugs off protest as waster of time ! - SURIN CALLS ON ASEAN TO ACT ON ROHINGYA ISSUE BEFORE MINORITY BECOMES REDICALISED ! - CENSURE TO TARGET PM, BOONSONG ! - MYANMAR CONSIDERS DECLARING EMERGENCY IN WEST October 29: ! - King endorses new cabinet! - Big rally turn-out surprises govt ! - Futsal organisers oored by import snag ! - AMMA SLAMS RICE 'BLUNDERS' ! - ALL EYES ON FIFA TODAY OVER FUTSAL AREA NOD: PLAYING SURFACE YET TO ARRIVE October 30: ! - Reds ready to counter Pitak Siam ! - Dtac founder to wed actress Bongkot ! - Fifa delays decision on futsal areana use! - INSURGENTS RELEASED UNDER PLEA BARGAIN ! - ASIA WILL SEE 'MORE RISKS TIED TO BIGGER ECONOMY' October 31: ! - Pheu Thai plans fresh charter bid ! - Monster storm Sandy cripples East Coast ! - SANDY WREAKS HAVOC IN US ! - Boonchai goes public about his happiness!

61

C H A P T E R 11

NOVERBER 2012
November 1: ! - Govt seeks help to locate key witness in Saudi case ! - Mum slain after video game clash with son ! - Arena verdict put off again! - LANDSCAPE OF DEVESTATION November 2: ! - Charupong vows unity, charter bid ! - Thailand defeat Costa Rica ! - Ex-cop accused in missing Saudi case says he is a govt 'sacrice'! - GOVT URGED TO PUSH FOR TAX REFORMS ! - Yingluck leads new ministers in oath-taking ceremony before King ! - RANGSIT, CHINESE VARSITIES SET UP HERBAL-DRUG FACTORY November 3: ! - SEC warns over Sorayuth ! - Surapong urges govt to accept ICC jurisdiction! - SEC MOVE PILES PRESSURE ON BEC, SORRAYUTH November 4: ! - 'Sovereignty threatened' if ICC involved ! - Brides-to-be battle it out for wedding package prize ! - SURAYUD CLAIMS NO CONNECTION TO PITAK SIAM November 5: ! - FOCUS ON TRILATERAL TRADE !
62

- DIRTY TRICKS SULLY US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION! - LICENSING LOOMS FOR BROADCASTERS ! - Rumours swirl of plot to kill Thaksin ! - Yala police chief tightens security after bomb blasts ! - Elimination looms after Ukraine loss November 6: ! - Thaksin rethinks visit to Tachilek ! - Arena ready at long last ! - Obama, Romney in nal dash through swing states! - TOP SPORTS EVENTS MUST AIR FREE: NBTC November 7: ! - Fifa pulls plug on Futsal Arena ! - US voters go to ballot box ! - Plot doubts grow as Thaksin drops Tachilek ! - 4 to die for sailor killings! - US VOTES IN POLL CLIFF-HANGER November 8: ! - Vistorious Obama clinches second term ! - Thai-American wins seat in Congress ! - PM hails poll results! - Thai-American elected to US Congress November 9: ! - 3G winners threaten to sue NBTC ! - Hu pledges reforms to hit 2020 GDP, household income targets! - CHINA'S HU JINTAO URGES FIRM PARTY CONTROL CURM ON CORRUPTION ! - LETTER FROM BEIJING November 10: ! - Obama prepares to make historic trip to Myanmar ! - Boonsong left out of censure motion, PM to be target! - OBAMA VISIT A BOOST FOR THEIN SEIN'S REFORMS !
63

- Blocking of Krabi video considered ! - Thai expectations high from presidential trip November 11: ! - US to challenge rich scheme at WTO ! - Yingluck to meet Queen Elizabeth II in London! - MINISTER DEFENDS PM'S TRIPS ! - THAILAND AND SOUTH KOREA AIM TO DOUBLE BILATERAL TRADE TO $30 BN WITHIN 5 YEARS November 12: ! - Powerful quake hits Myanmar ! - Govt will invite Obama to futsal nal ! - Dept loses B9bn Klong Dan ght! - 'GREEN' LIGHT for condos? ! - Residents battle Bangkok developer November 13: ! - Thailand to join TPP talks ! - Bodies of crash pilots on thier way home ! - Abhisit smear campaign is unnecessay, expert says! - HEAVYWEIGHTS HEADING THIS WAY November 14: ! - His Majesty to meet with Obama on Sunday! - King to meet Obama, Wien Jiabao! - Jatuporn warns over Pitak Siam ! - New rules give maind days off, paid leave! - US DEFENCE PACT 'WON'T AFFECT THAI NEUTRALITY' ! - BOT 'NOT OPPOSED' TO JOINING TPP; FINANCE MINISTRY 'NOT INFORMED' November 15: ! - BoT expert wary over TPP ! - Hu vacates post as Xi prepares to take reins!
64

- DEFENCE PACT WITH US 'ONLY REAFFIRMS TIES' ! - WITTY NEW PHEU THAI LEADER IS WARY OF PITAK SIAM MOVEMENT November 16: ! - Thailand, US ink defence 'vision'! - CHINA WELCOMES 'POSITIVE' US ROLE November 17: ! - Unity under threat at summits! - MILITARY CHIEFS OPPOSE USING SECURITY ACT ! - CHAROEN FACES UPHILL TASK TO EXPAND EMPIRE November 18: ! - PM stays coy on US-led trade pact ! - THAI MANAGER MURDERED IN UK 'A FRIEND TO ALL'! - ASEAN SEEKS TO CALM SEA DISPUTES ! - BOOSTING STRATEGIC ALLIANCE HIGH ON OBAMA'S AGENDA November 19: ! - Obama arrives on whirlwind tour ! - Asean inks contentious human rights pact ! - Brazil lifts World Cup! - OBAMA HAILS THAI TIES November 20: ! - Obama in historic Myanmar visit ! - Wen agrees to joint press brieng with PM Yingluck! - MANILA AT ODDS WITH HUN SEN OVER SEA ROWS ! - SECURITY FOR CHINA'S WEN TO BE AS TIGHT AS IT WAS FOR OBAMA November 21: ! - Obama calls for calm on S. China Sea ! - UN chief Ban calls for Gaza ceasere ! - Taxi driver returns B26m in lost cash to Thai couple!
65

- PM, WEN TO WITNESS SIGNING OF RICE DEAL ! - GOVT: HELP ON THE WAY FOR SMEs OVER WAGE HIKE November 22: ! - Beijing eyes train deal ! - Boonlert summoned over rally! - CHINA RICE DEAL TAKES ROOT November 23: ! - PM FEARS VIOLENCE AT PROTEST ! - ADDITIONAL BT70-BILLION BORROWING NEEDED FOR RICEPLEDGING SCHEME: TDRI November 24: ! - 20,000 police, troops go on alert! - BANGKOK ON RALLY ALERT ! - Businesses hope for non-violent, short protest November 25: ! - WE LOST TO EVIL: RALLY LEADER November 26: ! - Dems open re on navy ret deal ! - Govt mulls lifting rally security decree ! - Garment factory re kills 112 workers! - RALLY FAILURE A BOOST FOR GOVT ! - MP ACCUSES SUKANPOL OF ALLOWING BTI-BN EMBEZZLEMENT IN NAVY DEAL November 27: ! - King pays trip to Chitralada ! - Yingluck fronts up to rice plan critics ! - Court blames troops for killing red cabbie! - FTI CHAIRMAN IS OUSTED BY FRIENDS-TURNED-FOES ! - GOVT-TO-GOVT RICE DEALS FRAUDULENT: DEMOCRATS

66

November 28: ! - DEMOCRATS VOW TO TAKE RICE CASE TO NACC! - Flood spending under re ! - Inmates try out 'Gangnam Style' ! - Prayuth says ICC should have no say over clashes November 29: ! - Thaksin not happy with speak duo ! - Unusually heavy rain 'to persist into winter'! - 'COUNTRY IN CRISIS' ! - CHINA'S NEW PASSPORT NOT A PROBLEM November 30: ! - Govt bristles at OIC resolution ! - Panel revived to mull ICC cover ! - Two winners split $587m! - DEMOCRATS TO SEEK INFOR FROM CHINA ! - Stigma is worse than the disease itself

67

C H A P T E R 12

DECEMBER 2012
December 1: ! - Korkaew in jail as court revokes bail ! - Govt extends ISA in 5 districts for a year! - NO TIME TO LOSE ON FTA WITH EU: COMMERCE ! - MIGRANT WORKERS MOST TO LOSE WHEN TESTED POSITIVE ! - THREAT TO COURT LANDS KORKAEW BACK IN JAIL December 2: ! - Dems demand proof Chinese rice deal exists ! - HIV INFECTION RATE ON RISE AMONG! - GROUP SEEK STUDY , WORK RIGHTS FOR THOSE WITH HIV December 3: ! - King shifts guards to make space for birthday hash! - Court to rule on 3G challenge ! - RETIREMENT AGE EXTENSION MULLED December 4: ! - Court clears way for 3G licensing ! - Paetongtarn threat burns stewardess ! - Royal Bureau 'did not order' reworks ban! - SOCIAL MEDIA DEBATES FIREWORKS DECISION ! - NBTC CLEARS LEGAL HURDLE, READY TO ISSUE 3G LICENCES December 5: ! - Sea of yellow awaits His Majesty !
68

- NACC launches probes into rice, reshufe ! - Will, Kate expecting baby December 6: ! - King calls for kindness, good will! - KING EXPRESSES HOPE FOR COUNTRY'S FUTURE December 7: ! - DSI charges Abhisit, Suthep ! - Bopha leaves trail of death ! - Engineers fail to restore power on Samui, Phangan! - ABHISIT, SUTHEM TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER ! - KOH SAMUI DEVELOPMENT IN SPOTLIGHT AFTER BLACKOUT December 8: ! - King makes merit, visits memorial site ! - Abhisit gears up to battle murder rap ! - 40 armed men steal ries in outpost raid! - CRISIS AT FTI WORSEN ! - THOUSANDS FLEE SMALL TSUNAMI December 9: ! - Small rms face 'shock' of wage rise' ! - DEATH OF TWO EXPAT TEACHERS BAFFLE POLICE, SLEEPING PILL OVERDOSE SUSPECTED! - FEARS OF VIOLENCE OVER CHARTER ! - Elephant poop cooffed: a pricey cuppa from the North December 10: ! - Govt steps up charter rewrite bid ! - Pacman's defeat shocks battered nation! - 'GOVT TO BLAME' FOR SLUMP IN GRAFT RANKING ! - world's fastest men head of Bangkok to compete in RACING EXTRAVAGANZA

69

December 11: ! - Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast ! - Coalition unites over constitution rewrite! - OPPOSITION CRIES FOUL OVER EX-PM ON STATE TV ! - AS AEC LOOMS, MPs GET TO KNOW THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD December 12: ! - PM backs referendum befor bill ! - Toddler, two teachers among six killed in brazen shootings! - NBTC PROBING LIVE TV BROADCAST BY THAKSIN ! - 'UNOFFICIAL' FTI CAMP FAILS TO FIND LEADER TO REPLACE SANTI December 13: ! - 1,200 South schools halt classes ! - Computer snags hinder 12/12/12 couples ! - Sitar star Shankar dies at 92! - TEACHERS WANT TO FLEE SOUTH December 14: ! - Democrat duo deny murder rap ! - Teacher threat greets PM ! - BoT forecasts 4.6% growth! - GOVT URGED TO EXTEND DEADLINE FOR ALIEN WORKERS ! - FIRST-CAR SCHEME BOON FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY BUT BANE FOR CITY TRAFFIC ! - Army airship crash hurts for soldiers December 15: ! - Pardon sought for trophy gaffe ! - Govt rejects new verication deadline call! - BUSINESS WORRIED ABOUT INDIA FTA ! - Army blames weather for airship's 'emergency landing'

70

December 16: ! - US mourns school shooting victims ! - CABINET EXPECTED TO CONFIRM CHARTER CHANGE REFERENDUM PLANS FOR NEW YEAR! - WORLD SHOCKED AND SADDENED ! - Shooting suspect was 'a nerd' December 17: ! - PM in Myanmar for Dawei meet ! - Sudarat rules out running for governor! - CIVIL-SERVICE REBALANCING A MUST ! - TRAFFIC IN BANGKOK SET TO WORSEN IN 2014, OFFICIAL WARNS December 18: ! - Govt vow to front Dawei funds ! - Soldiers blamed for third protest death ! - New PM 'won't budge' over China island row! - ALL EYES ON ABE AFTER JAPAN POLL TRIUMPH ! - Countries want Japan in Dawei port project December 19: ! - Abhisit, Suthep in DSI crosshairs ! - Govt cuts personal tax rates! - CUT IN PERSONAL INCOME TAX DUE ! - Democrat Party lawyer Rames attacked December 20: ! - Park wins historic poll vistory ! - Court to try Plodprasop in tiger export case ! - New dept chief opens door to compromise! - MAP PLAN TO OUTLINE CROP ZONES ! - ROW OVER CHANGE TO HISTORIC SUPREME COURT December 21: ! - PM frets over vote turnout !
71

- Panama the 'happiest place' to be! - URGENT WAKE-UP CALL FOR KOH SAMUI ! - Maya people say it's only 'the end of an era' December 22: ! - AoT takes ight scare ak ! - Pheu Thai pledges to push charter referendum! - 'HUGE GAINS' IN ASEAN-INDIA FTA ! - GOVT SET FOR REFERENDUM ON CHARTER AMENDMENTS ! - A MILLION DOCOMENTS TO BE RELEASED I 2013: ASSANGE December 23: ! - Migrant deal stalls as talks break down ! - GOVT SAYS B7BN TAX SYSTEM OVERHAUL LOSS 'ACCEPTABLE'! - CHARTER 'TO BE READY IN 1-2 YEARS' ! - KEY PAD FIGURE BACKS SEREEPISUTH FOR CITY GOVERNER December 24: ! - 'Lackey' PM risks exile ! - Payunsak calls special meeting to secure job! - STEEPER TAX CUT NEEDED TO STOP 'BRAIN DRAIN' December 25: ! - Pheu Thai Party to set charter course ! - Pongthep tops new cabinet richest list ! - PM urges calm over gang rape! - UNVERIFIED MIGRANTS TO GET AN EXTENSION ! - Tsunami warning system nally ready, after 8 years December 26: ! - Govt vows to nd way in charter bid ! - Airplane crash-landing kills 2 ! - Ex-broker jailed for lese majeste posts! - NEW COURT CASE OVER AIRPORT EXPANSION ! - PIECE-BY-PIECE CHARTER CHANGE IF REFERENDUM FAILS: PM!
72

- REFORM ASSEMBLY ! - Gloomy outlook for SET, baht in '14 December 27: ! - 'Spy' pair's return no closer ! - Yingluck tops poll as 'most constructive politician'! - SINGLE-ENTRY VISA FOR THAILAND, CAMBODIA ! - GOVT WARNS SCAMMERS AS THAILAND IS NAMED TOP DESTINATION December 28: ! - South post lottery draw upsets cops ! - Sukhumbhand to run as governor again ! - DSI seeks 3 for Romklao's death! - PERSON OF THE YEAR December 29: ! - Dems order governor to toe the line ! - Where East meets West! - 21 MILLION TOURISTS, AND STILL COUNTING ! - THAI BOURSE HITS A NEW HIGH ON LAST TRADING DAY December 30: ! - Somsak sees end to strife in New Year ! - ATTACKERS IN INDIA RAPE CASE TO FACE MURDER CHARGE! - OBAMA IN BID FOR LATE DEAL ON TAXES ! - TRADE DEALS SET TO OPEN NEW EAR FOR ASEAN, INDIA December 31: ! - PERSON of the YEAR! - 5% GROWTH EXPECTED IN THE YEAR AHEAD: PM ! - Temple across the country prepare to see in 2013 with chanting, meditation

73