6 THE JAPAN TIMES SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009 (1) national day An auspicious year for Thai-Japan relations His Majesty,

Pichai Israbhakdi ity and continued success to eign investor. The Japanese King Bhumibol CHARGE D’AFFAIRES A.I., THE ROYAL THAI the government and people of community is one of the larg- EMBASSY Japan. est foreign business communi------The year 2009 is especially ties in Thailand. With the di- King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of The 5th of December every propitious for the people of rect contribution of the Japan- the Chakri Dynasty, which was founded in year is a very important occa- Thailand, as it is the 82nd Thailand Economic Partner- 1782 by King Rama I. King Bhumibol, Rama sion for the Thai people as it is birthday anniversary of His ship Agreement, or JTEPA, IX, is the longest reigning king in Thai the birthday of Majesty, the world’s longest our two-way trade in 2009 is history. Though Thailand’s political system His Majesty reigning living monarch. His worth more than $31.3 billion. is officially classified as a constitutional King Bhumibol Majesty is not only the symbol People-to-people contacts are monarchy, the constitution states that the Adulyadej of of the national unity for the growing, with Thai and Japa- king be ‘‘enthroned in a position of revered Thailand, the Thai people, but also an inspi- nese youths looking to one an- worship’’ and not be exposed to any sort of beloved ‘‘mon- ration for numerous others other for the latest trends and accusation or ‘‘action.’’ Without any legal arch and Fa- around the globe. As Thai- ideas. It is estimated that al- writ, Thai citizens hold their king in the ther of Thai land’s ‘‘Development King,’’ most 1 million Japanese tour- highest regard for his dedication to his people.’’ This His Majesty’s royal projects ists will visit Thailand in 2009. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, hospitalized for people through an impressive list of public day is celebrated by Thais and initiatives have helped to Politically, the Thai and fever and fatigue, has postponed the works projects and his humanitarian both at home and abroad as alleviate the hardships of mil- Japanese governments’ rela- birthday eve address. activities of good will. Thailand’s National Day. lions of his people. Close ties: Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand meets tionship has been closer and On this auspicious occasion, This year is also auspicious with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Nov. 7 during the first more cooperative. Thailand, I am honored to extend, on be- for the people of Japan, for it is Japan-Mekong summit in Tokyo. EMBASSY OF THAILAND as this year’s chair of ASEAN, ma. The first Japan-Mekong alogues are helping to create ernment stands ready to work half of the government and the year in which Japanese hosted the 15th ASEAN sum- summit on Nov. 6 and 7 in To- even closer ties between Thai- with the government of Japan people of Thailand, our deep- people commemorate the 20th pan. The two auspicious anni- milestone in the close and cor- mit and related summits in kyo was another occasion land and Japan. for the mutual benefit of our est respect to Their Majesties anniversary of the accession versaries of Their Majesties dial relations between Thai- Hua Hin from Oct. 23 to 25, when the two prime ministers I am certain that our past two countries and peoples. Fi- the Emperor and Empress to the throne of His Majesty have made the year a most land and Japan. Despite vari- during which Prime Minister discussed, together with the shall be our inspiration, and I nally, may I express my grati- and the Imperial Family, and the Emperor and the 50th wed- promising period of commem- ous challenges, we are moving Abhisit Vejjajiva had a fruit- leaders of Mekong countries, am convinced that the amia- tude and appreciation to The our earnest greetings and best ding anniversary of the Em- oration and celebrations. forward together. Japan re- ful discussion on various is- areas of cooperation for the bility between Thailand and Japan Times and its readers wishes for happiness, prosper- peror and the Empress of Ja- The year 2009 is another mains Thailand’s largest for- sues of mutual interest with development of the Mekong Japan will grow stronger in all for making this year’s celebra- Prime Minister Yukio Hatoya- region. These meetings and di- aspects. The Royal Thai Gov- tion meaningful. Best wishes offered to the king on his birthday

Ken-ichi Suematsu government led by Prime will play a leading role and as- cance in terms of letting us CHAIRMAN, JAPAN-THAILAND ASSOCIATION Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sume more importance in the Japanese grow much closer to ------patiently and democratically global economy. Asian peoples as comrades. His Majesty King Bhumibol carved out a route toward a This is a Japan-Mekong Ex- I expect the Japan-Mekong Adulyade turns 82 years old settlement. On the diplomatic change Year, for which Japan Exchange Year to provide an today, on which front, Thailand is holding the and five countries through impetus to further expanding I offer my cor- ASEAN chairmanship this which the Mekong flows — exchanges between Japan and dial and sincere year, drawing the world’s at- Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, ASEAN countries in the fu- c o n g r atula- tention to Asia as a region of Myanmar and Vietnam — ture. tions to the potentially high economic have been conducting various Among other things, I think King, his royal growth. exchange events and projects the development of the Me- family and the The global economy ap- since January to promote and kong basin, and the effective Thai people. I pears to have finally hit bot- deepen mutual understanding use of the east-west corridor wish for their tom, but it still cannot guaran- and friendship in all fields, in- and the north-south corridor, continued and even better tee optimism. Thailand is still cluding economic and cultural can help Southeast Asian health, happiness and pros- being affected in its export of ones. countries significantly expand perity. industrial products. Domestic The Japan-Thai Association economic and cultural ex- Amid the unstable econom- consumption, however, has has held a ‘‘Thai Forum’’ as a changes beyond national bor- ic situation besetting the been faring relatively well, in- Japan-Mekong Exchange ders, and build a more pros- world, Thailand has regained dicating that stable domestic Year 2009 event in cooperation perous Asia. stability in its politics and consumer markets are al- with the Thai Embassy in To- I cordially hope for a still economy this year and height- ready in existence. This can kyo to provide more Japanese stronger bond between Japan ened its presence in Asia. raise expectations that Asia is with an opportunity to learn and Thailand. Let me again Thai politics had been more transforming from a produc- about the attractive kingdom. wish His Majesty the King of House of worship: National Museum’s Buddhaisawan Chapel houses the Phra Buddhashing, an important sacred or less in confusion since a ing area to a consuming area, I am very pleased to see this Thailand many happy returns Buddha image. The paintings in this chapel are the oldest murals in Bangkok. TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND coup d’etat in 2006, but the new in which the Thai economy year take on great signifi- of the day.

The Japan Times PUBDATE: 12/5/2009 PAGE: 6 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 23:38:57

12/5/199 / / PT SUP/PG 6/ED 1 (4) THE JAPAN TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 7 Thailand national day/world

IN BRIEF So much to see in City of Angels ------Mexico seeks New hepatitis C treatment in trials Cultural sightseeing in Bang- kok can be a daunting task Washington AFP-JIJI considering there are so many An experimental treatment targeting hepatitis C was able to inhibit replication of the virus in the bloodstream of promised U.S. places to see, and they’re spread all over the city. To chimpanzees and could treat chronic infections in humans, fight the traffic and reach all according to a study released Thursday. of the sites would require a The treatment works by inhibiting a molecule that helps the great deal of patience and per- hepatitis C virus replicate, according to scientists at the antidrug aid severance. Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, who said the A good way to start off in drug continued to work up to several months after it was used. terms of getting the most The treatment is already undergoing ‘‘human clinical trials Bang(kok) for the Buck would and is currently undergoing phase-1 clinical studies in healthy majority of Merida goods and be at the . Con- volunteers,’’ the researchers said in a press release. GOA report says services.’’ structed simultaneously with It is the first medication of its type to be tested on humans, But the new U.S. ambassa- the establishment of Bangkok according to the researchers, whose work was published in the red tape is tying dor to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, by King Rama I the Great, the Dec. 3 issue of the journal Science Express. countered that the GAO report complex covers about 218,000 up funds as drug creates a ‘‘misimpression.’’ sq. meters and comprises Russia, Vatican establish relations He said that the United States three major quarters — the war intensifies has actually spent $222 million throne halls, royal residences Rome AFP-JIJI but that ‘‘due to the idiosyncra- and Temple of the Emerald Russia and the Vatican have agreed to establish full diplomatic sies of federal reporting and Buddha. relations, ending long-standing tensions, the Kremlin William Booth contracting,’’ many up-and- The Temple of the Emerald announced Thursday after President Dmitry Medvedev met Mexico City running programs have not Buddha is a royal temple in the Pope Benedict XVI. THE WASHINGTON POST yet shown up on the books as northeastern corner of the ‘‘President Medvedev told Pope Benedict XVI that he had ------money ‘‘spent.’’ Grand Palace compound. It is signed a decree concerning the establishment of full diplomatic The United States has spent a For example, Pascual said, where the image of the Emer- relations with the Vatican,’’ Russian presidential spokeswoman fraction of the money pledged a new federal police academy ald Buddha is enshrined and Natalia Timakova said. — just $24 million of $1.3 billion that has graduated more than where royal religious ceremo- ‘‘He asked the Foreign Ministry to lead discussions to appropriated — to help Mexi- 3,000 cadets taught by U.S. in- nies have been performed. establish the relations and raise the level of representation to co in its bloody three-year-old structors is not reflected in the Construction of the temple was apostolic nuncio and embassy,’’ she added. battle against the drug cartels GAO accounting because con- completed in 1784, and it has Since 1990, the two sides have maintained representation that have turned parts of the tractors have not submitted consistently undergone resto- below the rank of ambassador. country into a war zone and invoices yet. ration from the reign of King left 15,000 dead, according to a Similarly, the ambassador Rama I through to the reign of Equatorial Guinea chief takes 95% U.S. government report is- said, on Tuesday the U.S. gov- the current king, Rama IX. sued Thursday. ernment will deliver to Mexico Next to the Grand Palace Malabo AFP-JIJI The Merida Initiative, five new Bell helicopters Complex is Pho, home of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, in signed by former U.S. Presi- worth $66 million. the 46-meter-long Reclining power since 1979, has been re-elected with 95.4 percent of the dent George W. Bush and Mex- Some members of Con- Buddha. The temple is consid- vote in last weekend’s elections, according to final results ican leader Felipe Calderon in gress, however, have been ered the first center of public announced Thursday. 2007, promises Black Hawk frustrated by what they see as education and is regarded as The second-place candidate, Placido Mico Abogo, won 3.6 helicopters, night-vision gog- a sluggish pace. ‘‘As President ‘‘Thailand’s first university.’’ percent, according to the figures given by the interior minister gles and drug-sniffing dogs, as Calderon confronts his coun- Thai traditional massage is and the head of the national electoral commission. well as a more robust crime- try’s brutal drug cartels head taught at this temple. Certified The president’s total was slightly less than he predicted. fighting partnership between on, we must cut through our masseuses are available for Obiang Nguema earlier said he expected to win with 97 percent the United States and Mexico. own government’s red tape to weary tourists wanting to relax of votes cast. So far the United States has get Merida Initiative assis- after a long sightseeing day. New York-based Human Rights Watch has cast doubt on the delivered 2 percent of the tance flowing to Mexico more Across the Chao Phraya credibility of the poll, noting that in the absence of an equipment and support prom- quickly,’’ New York Demo- River from the Grand Palace independent and impartial body to watch over the electoral ised, according to the report cratic Rep. Eliot Engel, chair- is (Temple of process, the vote was unlikely to be free and fair. by the Government Account- man of the House Foreign Af- Dawn), famed for its spar- ability Office. fairs subcommittee on the kling porcelain encrusted 79- Chicago river poisoned to block carp The perception of a slow Western Hemisphere, said up- meter central pagoda. Sur- flow of aid has rankled some in on releasing the GAO report. rounded by four smaller pago- Chicago REUTERS the Calderon government and This week, Calderon das, the Khmer-style central Authorities scooped up poisoned fish floating to the surface of a fueled criticism that the Unit- warned that the cartels are in- structure was constructed by Chicago-area waterway Thursday in an operation designed to ed States, which spends bil- creasingly using drug money King Rama II and King Rama keep invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and prevent an lions consuming illegal drugs, to buy off local politicians and III. The central balcony com- Landmark: Wat Arun, often called the Temple of Dawn, is one of the most distinctive buildings ecological disaster. is fiddling while 50,000 Mexi- attempting to manipulate mands an impressive view of in Bangkok. From here one can see the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Illinois officials said a single Bighead carp, one of two prolific can soldiers and police are elections. Bangkok. Wat Po across the river. TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND species of Asian carp viewed as a threat, had turned up in the fighting in the streets to con- Jeffrey Davidow, former At the Royal Barge Nation- huge fish kill that began overnight along 10 km of the Chicago front powerful criminal orga- U.S. ambassador to Mexico al Museum, Thailand’s ornate- Chinatown (Yaowarat) was ly local delicacies. Tokyo office is in the Yuraku- Sanitary and Ship Canal southwest of the city. nizations that threaten Mexi- and now president of the Insti- ly carved and decorated Royal gradually settled by Chinese The Tourism Authority of cho Denki Building, a one- Poison was dumped into the waterway so maintenance could co’s national security. tute of the Americas in San Barges are displayed in boat traders who came by junk to Thailand’s Web site is at minute wake from Yurakucho be performed on an electrical barrier that is designed to keep The Merida Initiative did Diego, said, ‘‘I don’t think the sheds on Khlong (Canal) trade with Siam during the Su- www.tourismthailand.org . The Station. the carp out of the Great Lakes. not lay out a specific timeline slowness in the outlay is any Bangkok Noi, just off the Chao khothai era. By 1891, King Ra- The Asian carp was found some 64 km from Lake Michigan, for delivering the U.S. assis- kind of indication of a policy Phraya River near Phra Pin ma V had several more roads which was the closest to the Great Lakes the species has been tance, but the report made failure.’’ Instead, he said, ‘‘it is Klao Bridge on the Thon Buri cut through the area with Ya- found, authorities said. clear that the pace of spending better to take the time and get side. The barges are used on owarat Road as its center. The Some 90 tons of dead fish are expected to be collected, was lagging. it right.’’ royal occasions and formerly shape of Yaowarat Road is weighed, inventoried, and dumped in a landfill over the next few ‘‘Few programs have been The GAO report notes that served as war vessels. curved like a dragon’s body, days. Most of the dead fish scooped up so far have been native delivered and limited funding the Merida Initiative also in- While heading across town making it an ideal location for carp and shad. has been expended to date,’’ cludes $175 million in appro- to Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chi- business. Visitors can find an said GAO investigators. They priated funds for nations in natown, it is worthwhile to impressive variety of goods Rolling Stone arrested over assault said State Department offi- Central America and the Ca- stop and admire an ancient here, including gold, textiles, cials ‘‘could not tell us when ribbean. It found that so far $2 solid-gold seated Buddha im- garments, souvenirs, second- London AFP-JIJI they planned to deliver the million has been spent there. age of the Sukhothai Period at hand parts and equipment, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been arrested over Wat Trai Mit at the end of Chi- electronic products, computer claims he assaulted his Russian girlfriend, British police said natown’s Yaowarat Road near parts, antiques, imported mu- Thursday. Bangkok Railway Station. sical instruments and definite- The 62-year-old, who was divorced by his wife, Jo, 54, last month Georgia House GOP loses on grounds of adultery, was arrested in Claygate, southwest of London, near where he has a home, Surrey Police said. speaker to quit Media reports say he was alleged to have assaulted his first health girlfriend, cocktail waitress Ekaterina Ivanova. over love affair ‘‘We can confirm that a 62-year-old man from Esher was arrested last night on suspicion of assault in connection with a Atlanta LOS ANGELES TIMES bill vote domestic incident in Claygate High Street,’’ said a Surrey Police Embroiled in a drama spokesman. ‘‘He has this afternoon been released on bail until a involving a suicide attempt date in January pending further inquiries.’’ and allegations of an affair Washington A spokesman for the rocker said: ‘‘I can confirm that there with a lobbyist, Georgia THE WASHINGTON POST was an incident last night and that Ronnie Wood was arrested. House Speaker Glenn ------He has since been released on police bail.’’ Richardson, a Republican, Senate Republicans lost their The arrest came three months after police were called to the said Thursday he will resign. first major challenge to a Temple guardian: A statue of demon called Yakshas greets house the Stones star shares with his girlfriend, who is in her The announcement by Democratic plan to overhaul visitors at the entrance to Temple of the Emerald Buddha. early 20s, in September, after an argument in which it was Richardson — a the health care system, as the claimed she threatened to kill herself. family-values conservative Senate voted Thursday to re- — came amid mounting ject a GOP proposal to strip calls for his ouster from the package of nearly $500 bil- Irish nuns to pay out for abuse within his party and fears lion in Medicare cuts, its most Dublin AP that a lingering sex and important source of financing. A major Irish order of Roman Catholic nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, ethics scandal could harm On a vote of 58 to 42, the Sen- offered Thursday to pay child abuse victims, the government and the Georgia GOP in 2010’s ate defeated an amendment charities a further ¤128 million ($193.5 million) to compensate for statewide elections. He will by Sen. John McCain that decades of abuse in its schools and orphanages. leave office Jan. 1. would have sent the bill back The compensation offer to the Irish Education Department is Republicans in Georgia to committee with orders to by far the largest from 18 orders of Catholic priests, monks and control both houses of the remove the spending cuts. The nuns found guilty of chronic child abuse. They ran scores of legislature, and Republican amendment effectively would residential schools, workhouses and orphanages for generations Sonny Perdue is completing have forced Democrats back of Ireland’s most deprived children from the mid-19th century to his second and final term as to the drawing board after the 1990s. governor. But next year, months of negotiations to craft The Sisters of Mercy said in a statement it ‘‘wholeheartedly every legislator is up for a bill that extends coverage to regrets the suffering experienced by the children in their care’’ re-election in a shaky 30 million additional Ameri- and hoped this latest offer would show that its nuns were being economy. And on the cans without increasing bud- ‘‘faithful to the values of reparation, reconciliation, healing and Democratic side, Roy get deficits. responsibility.’’ Barnes — who served as The Senate also approved governor from 1999 to 2003 an amendment that would and could appeal to guarantee access to mammo- Stevie Wonder debuts in U.N. post moderates — has declared grams for women under 50, as United Nations AP his intention to run again. it cast its first votes on pro- Pop star Stevie Wonder had a hotter debut Thursday as a U.N. The GOP ‘‘could have their posed changes to the package. peace envoy than he expected. whole legislative agenda, not Though debate officially The singer-songwriter was in the middle of his acceptance to mention their leadership, opened Monday, progress has speech as a prestigious Messenger of Peace and advocate for the done in by a sex scandal,’’ been hampered by disagree- world’s estimated 650 million people with disabilities when a fire said Tom Crawford, editor of ments between the two parties alarm went off in the basement conference room at U.N. The Georgia Report, an online over the terms of debate and headquarters. political news service. ‘‘That’s the timing of votes. Senate After six long alarm blasts, Wonder cracked: ‘‘I’m trying to not good for any party, but Majority Leader Harry Reid figure out a new melody!’’ especially bad for a party that still hopes to hold a vote on fi- U.N. security officials ordered an evacuation of the three here in Georgia has nal passage before senators basement levels of the 39-story building, but a U.N. official said positioned itself as a adjourn for the Christmas hol- soon after that the program could continue. champion of mainstream idays, however, and on Thurs- ‘‘I didn’t realize that what I was gonna say was gonna create family values.’’ day he told them to plan to so much heat!’’ Wonder quipped as he resumed his speech. work over the weekend.

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