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Discovery of an ancient Buddha statue in Udon Thani

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By Alan S. Brown (www.pattayatoday.net)
Published: February 16, 2007, 11:43 am

Recently, I accompanied my friend to his home village, Ban Nonghuku, in Udon Thani. The trip is about ten hours by bus or car. Or, you can take a one hour flight from Suwhanabumi Airport. Best had not seen his family for a while and was also shopping for a used car. For reasons best known to him, he decided that he should make the purchase in Udon Thani, rather than here in good old Pattaya. I’ve been to Udon Thani several times and have had the opportunity to visit and observe rural life in the various villages and farming communities, there. On this journey, I was struck by the contrasts that still exist “up country” and, I guess, Thailand as a whole.

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35 Hmong people arrested

By The Nation
Published: September 13, 2006, 10:38 am

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35 Hmong people arrested

Local police in Udon Thani Tuesday arrested 35 Hmong ethnic minorities from Laos en routing to northern Phetchabun province's Ban Huay Nam Khao, where some 6,000 Hmong fellows were being sheltered.

Three pick up trucks fully loaded with the Hmong, including 17 children were forced to stop at a checkpoint on a bypass road in Udon Thani following a tip off to police that there was a group of smuggler moving illegal migrant from Laos.

Police arrested four Thai nationals with Hmong ethnicity who took the Hmong from Nong Khai province, borders with Laos. One of the four known as Jer Yang, a resident of Ban Khek Noi, a villager next to Ban Huay Nam Khao in Phetchabun's Khao Kho district.

Jer Yang told police that he would bring the group of 35 Hmong fellows from Laos to Ban Huay Nam Khao shelter. This was the third trip he has brought the Hmong from Laos to Thailand, he said.

The Nation Newspaper

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Inviting another ecological disaster?

By The Nation
Published: September 1, 2006, 6:12 pm

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EDITORIAL: Inviting another ecological disaster?

Thu, August 31, 2006

The proposal for a huge potash mine in Udon Thani glosses over the potential for massive damage to the environment

Udon Thani province is at a crossroads: it could become home to the world's third largest potash mine or remain protected as the country's rice bowl. It's a familiar development dilemma seen over the past few decades. It turned out, however, that we often ended up opting for economic benefits, only to realise years later that we had made the wrong choice. Increasingly, we find that large infrastructure projects fall short of economic expectations whereas their social and environmental impacts turn out to be greater than estimated.

How to avoid repeating the mistake then? The answer actually lies in a basic principle known to every democratic society: that we have to make the decision-making process transparent with the widest participation from stakeholders. We have made mistakes in the past at the expense of taxpayers and the ecological system. But now it's time to do the right thing.

The mining project is full of irregularities. This would have slipped public attention had it not been for the critical observation by an environmental group of the recent amendment of the mining law. The key amended issue is to allow mining operations under 100 metres below the ground without the need to notify people living above the mining area. Such an operation is unprecedented in Thailand. The environmental group alleges that the law amendment is to pave the way for the Canadian mining firm Asia Pacific Potash Corporation (APPC) to operate under the 15,000 rai area covering two districts south of Udon Thani city in which more than 30,000 people live. The company plans to apply for a mining licence from the Thai government by the end of this year.

The APPC claims it has found the world's third largest potash deposit in the province. It asserts that Thailand as an agricultural country would benefit from the finding as potash is a key ingredient in fertilisers. But this assertion is absurd since the company's business plan clearly states that it will export most of potash from the mine to China. The most Thailand would get is a 7-per-cent royalty from the mining operation.

The company also defended its operation by stating that it had conducted an environmental-impact assessment (EIA) which had already been approved by the Thai government. It guaranteed that it would operate what would be the largest mine in Thailand with the "highest" international standards.

However, existing evidence points in the opposite direction. Firstly, Canadian environmental groups reported APPC was 90 per cent owned by Asia Pacific Resources, a small Canadian firm that has never operated a mine. Worse, its "world-class" EIA turned out to be what some geologists and environmentalists called an "unbearable deception".

What's absent from the "studies" is a crucial investigation into such major impacts as soil subsidence and leakage of potassium-salt waste into natural waterways. Thai and Canadian environmentalists estimate that the salt-waste stockpile - which would be taller than all but a few buildings in Udon Thani city - could contaminate soil and water supplies over a vast area.

The Office of Environmental Policy and Planning will have a lot to answer for. Its executives must be held responsible if the EIA for the planned potash mining is found to be substandard. This agency, which was set up to oversee the country's environmental protection, has on several occasions been accused of approving sloppily prepared EIAs for bad projects, leading to ecological damage.

The government must avoid making the same mistakes in handling our country's development projects. The government did the right thing recently when it ordered the scrapping of the controversial Klong Dan waste-water treatment plant even though the project was 90 per cent complete and several billion baht of government budget had gone down the drain. We must not allow the Udon Thani potash-mining operation to turn into another costly mistake.

The Nation

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TRT 'will bring millions to city'

By The Nation
Published: August 29, 2006, 1:47 pm

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TRT 'will bring millions to city'

Former Thai Rak Thai MPs threatened yesterday that many people in the Northeast are prepared to come to Bangkok to "protect" caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) holds demonstrations against him.

Ex Udon Thani MP Wichai Chaijitvanitkul said that if the PAD thinks a clash will create peace in the country, he is ready to fight.

He said people from the Northeast were preparing to travel to Bangkok if the PAD holds a rally to oust the premier - to encourage Thaksin and defend democracy. "We tried to be quiet, but it seems the PAD doesn't want this."

Moreover, members of PAD were attempting to attack Thaksin by accusing the government of "setting up" the car-bomb incident, Wichai said.

He couldn't predict how many people might travel to the capital, but claimed more than 200,000 Udon Thani people were prepared to make the journey.

"However many people Sondhi [Limthongkul] can bring, I will bring more," he said. Former Nakhon Ratchasima MP Suporn Atthawong said people from the Northeast want to visit Bangkok to encourage Thaksin, but former MPs have warned them to avoid a conflict.

"I and other [Thai Rak Thai members] told people in each constituency that we have to keep cool."

However, Suporn said that if Thaksin was still pressed by Sondhi and the PAD, perhaps more than 10 million people could go to Bangkok.

"They don't want to make a fight with Sondhi. They want to protect the premier and to keep democracy," he said.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation

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Pressure group urges release of victims' records

By Bangkok Post
Published: August 22, 2006, 3:01 pm

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Pressure group urges release of victims' records

A pressure group yesterday called for the disclosure of medical records of victims of medical malpractice for use in legal proceedings.

In a petition lodged with the Public Health Ministry, the Network of Victims of Medical Malpractice also proposed the establishment of a non-partisan body to arbitrate disputes between medical staff and patients, and the setting up of a compensation fund.

The petition was accepted by caretaker Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat and the ministry's permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongviroj.

Network coordinator Preeyanan Lorsermwattana said the patients who fell victim to medical malpractice had failed to secure evidence to fight cases in court despite the ministry's promise to look into the problem.

She cited as an example the case of Sirirat Junpetch who became disabled after receiving treatment for a spinal cord injury at Siriraj Hospital.

Ms Sirirat could not obtain her medical records for use in court, she said.

Ms Preeyanan claimed that doctors accused of malpractice had received help from the Medical Council of Thailand, which set up a legal team to help doctors fight legal battles connected with medical malpractice.

The team not only went through a medical record in question but also advised the accused doctor to provide the victim's family only a summary of medical treatment, she said.

More often than not, such a summary was incomplete with crucial information being left out, she noted.

"More and more doctors have been encouraged to file counterclaims against patients," she said.

The network also brought with them two patients who suffered from medical malpractice.

Yongyut Pannina, 20, was admitted to a hospital in Phrae after a motorcycle accident. His condition improved but he slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness following a blunder during the removal of a breathing aid.

The hospital allegedly forced his family to accept a settlement of 150,000 baht.

Marut Sutthipat, 15, of Udon Thani, was left paralysed after undergoing headache treatment at a clinic. His family was allegedly forced to accept 120,000 baht in compensation. Mr Phinij yesterday promised to look into the matter, saying he personally believed a medical record should be a patient's property.

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New Buffet at Kitaro Japanese Restaurant

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 11, 2006, 2:42 pm

New Buffet at Kitaro Japanese Restaurant

Kitaro restaurant on Prajak rd, Udon Thani are pleased to announce the opening of their new Japanese buffet zone.

For only 200 Baht per person per 1 hour and 20 minutes you can enjoy freshly prepared Japanese cuisine prepared by a profession cook. The food moves around on a sushi train style format.

Another zone is called Alakus Zone, this zone is for the customers who prefer a personal atmosphere. Many kinds of dishes are available in this zone, it's open from Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 2.30 PM and 4.30 PM to 10 PM. Weekends from 11 Am to 10 PM.

All of the food is fresh and imported from Japan, Canada, Norway, Chili and some are from Thailand, their food is of the highest quality. Since opening their buffet zone they have received some very positive feedback. They will review all feedback after 3 months and wait to see what other exciting promotions they can offer.

Although Kitaro is not the first Japanese restaurant to use this kind of table style, it is believed that their's is uniquely different. Moreover there are fresh fruit juices, fresh cakes and fresh coffee served daily.

To book a table for Alaska zone and buffet zone: please call from 11AM to 10 PM. 042 243 094.

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Mother�s day Fair (Tungsi Muang)

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 11, 2006, 1:34 pm

Mother’s day Fair (Tungsi Muang)

Mother’s day Fair will be held on August 11th to 18th, 2006 by the Local Government of Udon Thani at The City Fair Ground (Tungsi Muang). You can shop for many goods from top sport and clothes companies and also help local people by buying OTOP products. There will be many playground rides for the children near the front of the fair’s entrance. More than 100 shops will be providing food.

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Mobile Wireless Fair by AIS - 11-13 August

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 11, 2006, 1:15 pm

Mobile Wireless Fair by AIS

AIS or Advance Info Service Co. Ltd. will hold a Mobile Wireless Fair at Promotion Hall, 1st floor of Charoen Sri – Robinson Shopping Mall on August 11 – 13, 2006.

There will be many promotions and special offers on phones from Motolora, Nokia, Samsung and Ericson and information will be provided by many pretty promoters. Join their activities or fun games and get free gifts from AIS!!!!

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Spaces for rent at the Charoen Sri Complex

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 10, 2006, 9:48 am

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Spaces for rent at the Charoen Sri Complex

Are you interested to own your own business in a prime location of Udon�s shopping mall?

The Charoen Sri Complex Shopping Mall is giving opportunities for all to rent units within their 4th floor area. Education and Brand name shops are the current theme of this zone.

Both zones on the 4th floor start at 470 Baht per sq. meter per monthly rental, and the minimum space required is 72 sq. meters, with a contract no less than 3 years. This price does not include the decorating cost. You must pay 3 months rental cost 1 month before you move in.

Also, if you want to promote your own business in the Promotion Hall on the 1st floor, please contact the marketing department on the 3rd floor. 6 sq. meters costs 1,500 baht per day, electricity is 5 Baht per unit.

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Northeastern residents are warned of dangers from heavy rain

By lee
Published: August 10, 2006, 9:41 am

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The Meteorological Department has warned residents in the upper Northeast of possible hazards from heavy precipitation today. Due to the low pressure in the northeastern region of Thailand, heavy rain has taken place in many provinces, including Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakhon Nakhon and Mukdahan. People living near slopes, mountainous areas and streams of water have been cautioned of possible dangers from heavy rain.

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4 prisoners escape from Udon Thani Police station

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 9, 2006, 11:14 am

On August 7, 2006 8 AM at Udon Thani Police Station, Police have reported that 4 prisoners have escaped the central Udon Thani prison.

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India Index Mall in Udon to begin construction in 2 months

By PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP
Published: August 8, 2006, 10:58 am

Index Living Mall plans to spend 2.4 billion baht to open three new outlets next year. Construction of a 400-million baht project in Phitsanulok will start next week and work on a 500- million-baht outlet in Udon Thani will begin in the next two months. The remaining 1.5 billion baht will be used to expand an existing outlet on Rama II Road in Bangkok.

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Modern Pub and Restaurant Now Open!

By Pimporn K (udonmap.com)
Published: August 8, 2006, 10:45 am

'Modern Pub and Restaurant' is a new style pub to recently open. It's located on Phon Phisai Rd, near to the UD Pub and Ban Hoy Market or in the same location as the old Public Pub.

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