Thursday 22 December 2011

Toyota sees record sales

Toyota Motor Corp forecast a 20 percent begin global sales to a record 8.48 million vehicles the coming year as it claws back out of this year's output losses brought on by natural disasters in Japan and Thailand.


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Toyota overtook General Motors Co because the world's top-selling automaker in 2008 but is placed to get rid of that crown this season as supply-chain disruptions in the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand cut production all over the world.

With estimated sales this year of 7.90 million vehicles for that group, including units Daihatsu Motor Co and Hino Motors Ltd, Toyota will probably rank third behind General Motors and Volkswagen AG.

Toyota could regain the top ranking next year because it builds inventory to satisfy pent-up demand and adds output capacity in China and Brazil, among other countries. GM and VW have not disclosed their 2012 sales plans, and Toyota did not provide group forecasts.

"The reason they lost sales this season was because they couldn't build the cars. Now that they are able to, it's possible they'll take back the top spot," said Satoru Takada, analyst at Tokyo-based T.I.W.

"But this will depend which markets the growth can come from," he explained, noting Toyota was dominant in Southeast Asia and also the Middle East, but faces tougher competition in China and South America.

Toyota's parent-only arrange for 2012 beats its previous peak of 8.43 million vehicles in 2007.

"I believe the prospective is achievable given Toyota is quickly recovering production and launching new models," said Lee Hyun-soo, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities in Seoul.

"There will be cut-throat competition between Toyota, GM and Volkswagen for the top spot in the global market next year."

Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, has said he was not interested in a race to be the largest automaker, while VW has a goal of selling Ten million vehicles to grab the title by 2018.

Measured by stock value, Toyota is much above its rivals, at $111 billion - more than VW and GM combined.

YEN CONCERN

At its peak in 2007, however, Toyota was valued at a lot more than twice that, and analysts said a sales recovery would struggle to result in similar profit gains at today's forex rates.

"Rather than a rise in its production plans, the marketplace is focusing on how (Toyota) will limit the losses with the dollar at 77-78 yen," said Yoshihiko Tabei, chief analyst at Kazaka Securities in Tokyo. "Even if they increase production, you will find questions about how much which will lift profits."

Toyota's shares have forfeit 22 percent so far this year and therefore are down 70 % from the peak at the begining of 2007, once the dollar fetched around 120 yen. On Thursday, they fell 0.6 percent in a Tokyo market that lost 0.4 percent.

When the envy of the auto industry, Toyota has already established a torrid few years - from a quality crisis that triggered the recall in excess of 10 million vehicles globally, a tarnished image and a subsequent slide in sales.

Just like it had been recovering from that the March 11 quake and tsunami that destroyed hundreds of kilometers of Japan's northeastern coastline forced it and other domestic automakers to lessen output for months.

In October, damage to suppliers from Thailand's floods did exactly the same, hampering plans to make up for earlier output losses.

Production disrupted through the Thai floods has mostly returned to normal, keeping output only in Japan and Thailand reduced.

EMERGING MARKET LAGGARD

But Toyota has also lagged due to a relatively slow push into emerging markets as it scrambled to satisfy runaway demand in mature markets for example North America within the years prior to the worldwide financial crisis.

Toyota now aims to market half its cars in emerging markets by 2015, up from around 40 % now. "The numerical plans announced today reflect that strategy," said spokeswoman Amiko Tomita.

With development in developing markets for example India and China slowing and Europe in the middle of a debt crisis, some said Toyota's plans may be optimistic.

"With these factors in your mind, I believe some investors are somewhat skeptical that they'll reach these numbers," said Fujio Ando, a senior analyst at Chibagin Asset Management. "There might be a slight gap between your company's numbers and what investors expect," he explained.

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Toyota also announced plans to sell 8.95 million Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles worldwide in 2013 and build 8.98 million vehicles. It gave no regional breakdown for the forecasts outside Japan.

It plans to build 3.40 million vehicles and sell 1.53 million vehicles at home in 2012.

Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from around disputed temple

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to withdraw their troops from the space around a disputed border temple, the official Thai news agency MCOT reported.


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The two countries reached a deal to implement a purchase through the International Court of Justice to set up place a "provisional demilitarized zone" round the Preah Vihear temple, MCOT cited Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh as saying in a news conference on Wednesday.

Thai and Cambodian troops had clashed in the region round the temple captured, displacing thousands of people on sides and causing at least 20 deaths.

A joint working group is going to be set up to discuss the rules governing the demilitarized zone, Banh said after ending up in the Thai defense minister, General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

The troop withdrawals, to become carried out as soon as possible, will be supervised by observers from Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, the chair from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Banh said.

Cambodia had asked the International Court of Justice, the United Nation's highest court, to intervene and order Thai troops out of the area.

The court, instead, ruled in July that both sides must withdraw their troops to prevent more casualties.

The 11th century temple sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance around the Thai side. The two countries differ on whether some territory around the temple forms a part of Thailand or Cambodia.

The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Thailand claims, however, that the 1.8 square mile (4.6 sq. km) area surrounding it had been never fully demarcated.

Thailand says the dispute arose from the fact that the Cambodian government used a map drawn throughout the French occupation of Cambodia -- a map that places the temple and area in Cambodian territory.

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In 2008, the Un approved Cambodia's application to achieve the temple listed as a World Heritage Site -- a place the U.N. says has outstanding universal value.

The decision re-ignited tensions, with some in Thailand fearing it'll make it hard for his or her country to lay claim that they can disputed land round the temple.

Monday 19 December 2011

Democrats accuse Thaksin's adviser of distorting facts

The opposition Democrat Party yesterday accused former pm Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser of trying to distort facts related to the ex-PM's passport controversy.


Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalsut disputed Noppadon Pattama's declare that the Democrat-led government had disseminated false information that Thaksin was on Interpol's "red-notice list" of wanted persons and had lied that former PM was on the Foreign Ministry's blacklist.

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Chavanond said that his party's legal team was gathering evidence to file a court petition against Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul for violating the law and the Foreign Ministry's regulation against returning Thaksin his passport.

He told the press yesterday that there was an arrest warrant out for Thaksin, which a Top court order had been issued to the Foreign Ministry explaining why the former PM could not be allowed to go back to Thailand and a wanted notice have been sent to several countries.

"I wonder if Noppadon has really got a law degree from Oxford University because he claims. He doesn't understand simple legal statements. Previously I thought he only agreed to be pretending to become stupid, however I'm believing that he isn't pretending," Chavanond said.

He said the wanted notice issued by the Foreign Ministry could confirm Thaksin's status. "This document should be destroyed before someone in the Foreign Ministry sends us a copy. Basically understand this document, I'll have proof the Foreign Ministry was, in fact, conscious of Thaksin's status," he explained.

Last week, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that Thaksin's Thai passport, seized through the previous Democrat-led government, had been returned to him. The foreign minister had said earlier he will make sure Thaksin got his passport back before the New Year.

The ministry's confirmation came after Chavanond said that he had learned from unnamed ministry official the ministry's computer records about Thaksin standing on the black list have been altered so a brand new passport could be issued for him.

Yesterday, Chavanond also accused Noppadon of lying when he said that Thaksin hadn't filed an appeal for his passport to become returned. The Democrat spokesman said Foreign Ministry officials had confirmed that Thaksin had filed a petition with the Thai embassy at the Uae, in which the ex-PM is living on self-imposed exile.

"Noppadon didn't mention this fact. He is attempting to distort this matter," Chavanond said.

He continued to counter Noppadon's accusation that the previous Democrat-led administration had discriminated against Thaksin by cancelling his passport. Within the accusation, Noppadon cited the truth that previous governments hadn't cancelled the passports of other fugitive politicians, like Vatana Asavahame and Somchai Khunplume, who have been sentenced for harsher offences.

Chavanond said the Foreign Ministry was acting under a ministry regulation that required the passport of persons who damage the country while overseas be cancelled.

"Vatana and Somchai weren't in that position," he added.

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In reaction to Noppadon's remark that Thaksin was using his Montenegrin passport to travel coupled with no need for a Thai passport, Chavanond responded that the issue was that Thaksin had been returned his passport despite the fact that he'd violated what the law states and ministry regulations.

"Thaksin seems to have more rights than other people. It is really an demonstration of double standards," he said.

Cabinet to meet in Chiang Mai

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's first Cabinet retreat is going to be held in her hometown of Chiang Mai next month, deputy government spokesman Anusorn Eiamsa-ard said yesterday.


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The meeting, scheduled for January 14-16, will be a built-in meeting involving both the government and sectors, including local political leaders, Anusorn said. Participating ministers, MPs, local politicians and representatives of the private sector and also the Thai Chamber of Commerce will gather first-hand information using their local areas and submit proposals for local development projects towards the Cabinet.

"Currently, Chiang Mai is booming. Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol [Silapa-archa] said he desired to result in the province a hub of tourism in the region," Anusorn said.

Your cabinet has yet to decide where the meeting is going to be held, however it won't be at City Hall or perhaps in a state agency office, he explained.

"We are considering a place such as the Night Safari, a hotel or the office from the Thai Chamber of Commerce," he said.

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The best minister plans to hold mobile Cabinet meetings outside Bangkok monthly, Anusorn said. Following Chiang Mai, the following meeting is going to be held in a northeastern province.

Friday 16 December 2011

Man, 55, held for planting six bombs in Bangkok

Police arrested a 55yearold man at 3am yesterday for allegedly planting six homemade bombs at three spots in Bangkok.


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The suspect, Jeerawat Janpeng, was paraded before reporters at the Metropolitan Police Bureau but he didn't answer any question. When pressed by reporters, Jeerawat just smiled and lowered his eyes. "I will speak only in the court," he explained.

Sitting next to the suspect at the press conference were Deputy Pm Chalerm Yoobamrung and Metropolitan Police Commissioner General Priewpan Damapong.

Chalerm provided the data on the case and answered the majority of the questions in the press conference.

Chalerm said the suspect, a goat raiser, originated from Sakon Nakhon and was remaining in Bangkok's Lak Si district.

The deputy PM alleged that Jeerawat placed six homemade bombs at three spots. One bomb was placed at the Bangkok Bank building, Sukhumvit 77 branch. The bomb was said to be detonated having a handheld remote control. Two other bombs were stuffed inside a PVC pipe and left in the mouth of Soi Kanchanapisek 89. These were found with a timer.

Chalerm said three other bombs were inside PVC pipes and placed under Nong Preu Bridge, Lat Krabang. They too were found with a timer.

The deputy pm did not say the way the man had obtained the homemade bombs.

Police safely discarded each one of these bombs. There is no casualty.

Jeerawat continues to be faced with unauthorised use/possession of explosives. If convicted, he faces a jail term of 2 yrs up. The utmost penalty is life imprisonment.

When reporters directed many questions in the suspect, Chalerm cut short the press conference. Chalerm said he'd ended the press conference because Priewpan was very sleepy.

Chalerm concluded the big event by stating that Bangkok residents could now celebrate the brand new Year without worrying about bomb attacks.

The press conference lasted for just 20 minutes.

According to Chalerm, it was Priewpan who informed him of the arrest.

"I've told you that he works well. But many of you claimed that I supported his promotion towards the helm from the police force because he's a relative of Khunying [Pojaman na Pombejra]," Chalerm said.

The deputy prime minister said he and the government were lucky to have Priewpan working for them.

Priewpan said the circuit of the bomb available at Bangkok Bank's Sukhumvit 77 branch looked like that of the bomb found in front of Government Lottery Office earlier this month.

Asked how the suspect was arrested so easily this time, Chalerm said, "Police found him when he was on his method to plant the bomb."

Chalerm said police believed he had accomplices but needed to gather evidence first.

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Responding to the arrest, Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva urged the government to research the case further and provide clarity.

"I wonder who will want to awaken the situation at the moment," he said.

Bangkok bomb scares

The annals of contemporary history reveal that almost all politically motivated bombing incidents have been domestic affairs rather than foreign ones.


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Yet it's a curious coincidence that bomb scares are appearing at any given time when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her red-shirt allies seem to be diverging on the quantity of issues, such as the road map for any charter rewrite, amending the Defence Administration Act and the cosy friendship using the military that is leaving the reds out in the cold.

When the government is seriously interested in solving these bomb scares, then it should pursue all leads, including taking a closer look at disgruntled red-shirt allies.

Although government leaders and their allies happen to be singing a chorus of solidarity, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had made remarks suggestive of a far more extraordinary intrigue than what you would think.

Last week, police received a tip-off before detecting and defusing a home-made bomb planted on Rajdamnoen Avenue. This coincided with holiday festivities.

Chalerm, police, security officials and political commentators all agreed that this incident was politically motivated. While the police and security officials were wary of speculating which political group may be responsible, Chalerm was quick responsible certain rogue soldiers for making moves to undermine the government and create a coup.

However, the burning question here is, why did Chalerm try to link the Rajdamnoen scare to his government's opponents when the bomb found was assembled in a manner much like those linked to red-shirt supporters and located regarding the the rallies last year?

Bombs linked to disgruntled officers in the wake from the 2006 coup were different from the one found a week ago and also the six uncovered early yesterday.

Furthermore, Chalerm continues to be circulating the initials of certain top brass who're allegedly behind these bomb scares, however these names are noticed to be closer to the reds instead of towards the yellow shirts.

Yesterday at around 3am police arrested Sakon Nakhon native Jeerawat Janpeng, 55, on suspicion of planting bombs. After Jeerawat made his statement, police uncovered six home-made explosives in three spots in the eastern outskirts of Bangkok.

The bomb squad staged an elaborate and painstakingly slow operation for reporters to witness how the bombs were discarded. Many check this out bomb scare as a proceed to divert public attention from hot issues like the questionable repeal of the passport ban for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chalerm chaired the morning's press conference to showcase Jeerawat's arrest, but he didn't appear to be his usual boastful self and abruptly terminated the meeting in under Twenty minutes.

Jeerawat kept smiling while Chalerm took all the questions on his behalf. The deputy PM's replies were short, terse and vague on Jeerawat's background and his role in the bomb scares.

National police chief General Priewpan Damapong said Jeerawat had confessed to being active in the Rajdamnoen bomb scare before tipping law enforcement off about the six bombs yesterday morning. However, Chalerm played down this point, saying Jeerawat had decided only to testify in court.

Both Chalerm and also the police chief chose in addition the bombs found were much like those linked to last year's political disturbances. The deputy PM also chose to not refer to his previous claims the culprits included rogue soldiers bent on undermining this government.

Despite the fact that all key leaders in the red-shirt movement are advocates of the peaceful struggle, last year's bombing incidents happened in connection with their rallies. A strong bomb exploded by accident in Metta Mansion in Nonthaburi, leading to the invention of the link between the explosives and certain red-shirt supporters.

It sounds strange and illogical that particular red shirts or rogue elements may wish to push the very government they tried so hard to install. Yet past politically motivated bomb scares have turned out to be come from friends rather than foes.

Once the government found power in August, Pheu Thai leaders and their red-shirt allies spoke in unison about their distrust of the military.

This month Yingluck and her deputy Chalerm have made an about-turn and are starting to warm up up brass. Red-shirt leaders seem to be left isolated within the main coalition party in their push to revise the military appointment process.

Yingluck has openly supported Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, while the red leaders are demanding his removal.

More important, the government has switched tracks, giving charter rewrite a lesser priority even though the reds wish to move at full speed to repeal the 2007 Constitution.

Despite Pheu Thai finding yourself in power, the red shirts continue to be finding themselves embroiled in legal wrangling with no end or amnesty around the corner.

Many reds, including Kwanchai Praipana, happen to be heard wondering aloud why the controlling majority in Parliament is failing them.

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All past political bomb incidents have faded away without being solved. At concern is whether the recent bomb scares would intensify before dissipating. The solution may hinge how well and just how quickly the power brokers can work behind the curtain to quell discontent within the rank and file.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

U.S. Citizen Sentenced for Insulting Thai King

Joe Gordon, who was born in Thailand but has lived in the us within the last thirty years, was found guilty of translating and posting online servings of a book, “The King Never Smiles,” which is published by Yale University Press and banned in Thailand.



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The number of so-called lèse-majesté cases has sharply increased in Thailand in recent times, a time period of political turmoil and divisions concerning the desolate man the monarchy.

Mr. Gordon’s case is unusual as he was surviving in the us when he uploaded chapters from the book online.

Elizabeth Pratt, the consul general with the U.S. Embassy who attended the sentencing, asserted america was “troubled” with all the verdict, but she stopped in short supply of calling for Mr. Gordon to become freed.

“We are extremely interested in the degree of the sentence that's been imposed on Joe Gordon,” she said. “We keep having full respect for that Thai monarchy, and now we like to support the right to freedom of expression, which is an internationally recognized human right.”

Mr. Gordon, 54, initially denied the fees but in October pleaded guilty.

He will request a royal pardon, said his lawyer, Arnon Nampa.

The sentence could have been more harsh had Mr. Gordon pleaded innocent, Mr. Arnon said. Before the sentencing, Mr. Gordon was repeatedly denied bail.

“You must choose between the rule of law or freedom,” Mr. Arnon said in a interview as soon as the verdict was presented down. “Because if he previously planned to continue fighting the case, however come in jail for about another year without bail.”

Judge Tawan Rodcharoen said the judge had shown leniency because Mr. Gordon pleaded guilty. The sentence, which would are already 5yrs, was cut by 50 %, the judge said.

Mr. Gordon, whose Thai name is Lerpong Wichaicommart, was arrested in May throughout a stop by at his hometown in northeastern Thailand.

Wearing an orange prison uniform and shackled with leg irons, he hesitated on Thursday when answering reporters’ questions. “In Thailand, they put people imprisonment even if they don’t have proof,” he was quoted saying. “I am not gonna fight. I don’t believe” - he stopped himself.

A prison official sitting close to Mr. Gordon whispered to him in Thai.

“Don’t say everything else concerning this,” said the prison official, Wiroj Nuyom. “It might affect your royal pardon. And you also may be struggling.”

“The King Never Smiles,” authored by a journalist, Paul M. Handley, can be a detailed biography of King Bhumibol. It argues the king has led a restoration of royal power in Thailand which has impeded the development of democracy.

The king, who's been hospitalized for longer than 2 yrs with some other ailments, marked his 84th birthday on Monday in a gilded ceremony marked by fanfare and adulation.

After a lot more than six decades for the throne, many Thais provide an unquestioning loyalty toward the king.

Ardent supporters in the monarchy have led a web based campaign to stamp out criticism, hard work that's been with a crackdown on royal insults by government Internet censors.

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“If you don’t like His Majesty the King, Chance to find the this - escape here,” one YouTube user, LimitedSaur, said in the video. “You’d better live someplace else but Thailand.”