Populism forum delayed

Today's General News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

IN BRIEF

Populism forum delayed

ACADEMIA : Chulalongkorn University has deferred a forum on "Populism and the Election" originally scheduled for today at the Prachadhipok-Rambhaibarni building until after the election.

The forum was a result of cooperation between the university's Institute of Security and International Studies, Thailand Democracy Watch, the Bangkok Post, and Post Today.

The new date for the forum has not been set.

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Road death actor verdict

RECKLESS DRIVING : Actor Sornram Thepitak was yesterday given a suspended jail sentence and fined 10,000 baht for killing a woman in a road accident in June.

The 33-year-old heart-throb ran down scrap collector Pitpern Takomad, 59, who was on the pavement that night, before fleeing the scene of the accident in Lat Phrao district.

The court found him guilty of reckless driving causing death and damaging property.

Because the actor already paid 500,000 baht in compensation to the victim's relatives and paid for damage to roadside trees and a public phone booth, the court reduced the suspended jail term from three years to one year and six months and cut the fine from 20,000 to 10,000 baht.

The court ordered Sornram to do 48 hours of community service in one year, including campaigning for safe driving and working at Nontapum Home for Children with Disabilities in Nonthaburi.

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IDs to be issued at birth

NATIONALITY :The cabinet yesterday agreed to amend the ID Card Act to require people with Thai nationality to be issued an identity card from birth.

Currently, those eligible must apply for an ID card when they turn 15.

Government spokesman Chaiya Yimwilai said the card would carry a memory chip, which stores a cardholder's fingerprints and identification marks. The card must be renewed every 10 years.

The amendments will be reviewed by the Council of State before going through the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

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Divers anchor tanker

SONGKHLA :Navy divers yesterday turned off the gas valves and anchored the tanker Gas Leo, which capsized in the Gulf of Thailand on Sunday.

The tanker, travelling from Chon Buri to Songkhla, overturned in rough seas off Songkhla's Sathing Phra district. It was carrying 550 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). All of the nine crewmembers were rescued.

Second Navy Region Commander Vice Admiral Kampanart Phucharoenyos said the oil slick had spread 16km from the capsized tanker.

The navy yesterday called a meeting with the ship operator, its insurer, the provincial marine office and the provincial petrochemical terminal to work out how to clean up the spill and salvage the ship.

Bangkok Post