Spanair mechanics face manslaughter charges

Two mechanics who carried out repair work on a Spanair plane that crashed at Madrid airport in August killing 154 people are being investigated for manslaughter, a Madrid court spokesman said today.

Data from the Spanair McDonnell Douglas MD-82's flight recorder showed that the aircraft had faulty wing flaps and that the take-off warning system had failed to sound, an initial report by Spain's Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Commission showed.

The plane, loaded with 10,130 litres of fuel, shot across 1 km (0.6 miles) of scrub before bursting into flames in Spain's worst aviation disaster since 1983.

The mechanics and Spanair's head of maintenance at Madrid airport will be investigated as part of an investigation into the accident set up by a Madrid court to run parallel with operations by the public works ministry, the spokesman said.

The investigation is considering possible offences of 154 cases of manslaughter and 18 of bodily harm due to negligence.

No spokesman for Spanair, which is controlled by SAS, was immediately available for comment.

Members of the committee investigating the accident will include two pilots, two engineers and two mechanics who specialise in the MD-82.

from www.irishtimes.com

Leah Dizon, 4 months pregnant, announces she's married

American singer Leah Dizon, 22, on Wednesday afternoon held a press conference in Aoyama to talk about her marriage and pregnancy which she announced at the last concert of her nationwide tour in Shibuya on Tuesday night.

Dizon dropped a bombshell when she told concertgoers that she was four months pregnant and that she had married a Japanese stylist in his 20s. She told 1,000 fans the wedding had been held last Friday at a hotel in Shinjuku. Insiders say the two had a Japanese-style wedding ceremony at the Hilton hotel.

Tuesday’s concert was the last one of a nationwide tour. Dizon said, “I have important news to tell you. I have actually got married.” Then she added: “I’m pregnant, too. My family and I are very happy.” She said she will take a break from showbiz until after her baby is born, but promised fans she will be back.

Dizon told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference that her husband is a 29-year old “smart guy” whom she met in January. She said they had gone to hot springs and ramen
restaurants together. She also showed a photo of herself in a traditional Japanese wedding dress.

Dizon’s agent didn’t allow reporters to ask her questions because “she is tired of being chased by paparazzi for three hours by car last night after the concert,” he said.

When I found this on japantoday.com I was shock because I think it's not in this time.

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10 provinces in Thailand warned of big waves, storms before yearend

Hello everyone today in The beautiful morning I read The news in The nation's website
about "10 provinces warned of big waves, storms before yearend".

It's very formidable news for me but I think waves and storms will be normally disaster
in this time. In the news source they say......

Ten provinces on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand have been warned to brace for one or two storms before yearend, which could unleash big waves to hit the provinces.

The provinces are Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Deputy Government Spokeswoman Suparat Nakboonnam said the Meteorological Department has alerted the governors of the province to make preparations for the storms, which could hit the Gulf of Thailand anytime from this month until December.

The storms would also unleash heavy rains and cause flooding in the provinces.

Suparat said the department also informed the Cabinet about the possible storms, big waves and floods in the ten provinces.

The Nation

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Carnival time in Chiang Rai

The northern province celebates its culture with a festival that runs through the end of April

With political unrest again bringing chaos to the capital, those with time to spare may want to head for the hills and seek tranquillity in the northern province of Chiang Rai, home to some of the Kingdom's highest mountains.

It's a great time to visit too, as the city is getting ready to host the "Seven Amazing Chiang Rai Carnivals", a grand event that will run from October 21 though April 30 and which aims to promote seven historical sites and graceful old temples around town.

Our preview tour begins right in the heart of the city, as we peer into the past at the monument to King Mengrai, the Lanna monarch who established the cities of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.

We shoot back to the present at our next stop, the Mengrai Military Camp on Nakhai Road, where we admire the footprint of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, laid in cement in 1982 to commemorate the bravery of Thai soldiers.

Later that day, we take in Wat Phra Kaew on Trairat Road, once the repository of the sacred Emerald Buddha that's now kept in Bangkok, and Phra That Pha Ngao, on the west bank of the Mekong River bordering Burma and Laos, which is home to Luang Por Pha Ngao, a 700-year-old Lanna-style Buddha image, and many fascinating artefacts.

The following day begins with a trip to Mae Sai district to call in at Wat Phra That Doi Wao, the highest temple in Chiang Rai. The yellow gold Lanna-style pagoda built in AD979 by Prince Wao is one of the province's oldest and most revered. It's home to holy relics of the Buddha, and studded with many beautiful Buddha images.

Another highlight is the even older Wat Phra That Doi Tung,

with its golden pagodas and Lanna-style chapel. Nearby is the former residence of HRH the late Princess Mother, Doi Tung royal villa - an enchanting mix of traditional Northern home and Swiss chalet.

Our day ends at the modern Wat Rong Khun designed by celebrated artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The first thing you notice is the ubosot, painted a dazzling white to represent the purity of Buddhism. Inside, there are two principal Buddha images and a massive mural by Chalermchai depicting the path to nirvana.

from dailyxpress.net

2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta

2008 Phuket King's Cup Regatta

Date : 29th November - 6th December 2008
Venue : Phuket, Thailand

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is Asia’s biggest and most popular regatta.
More than a regatta, the week long event consists of great parties,
great sailing and lots of fun.

Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand,
the event has been held every year since during the first week of December.
In 2006, the event was voted as Yatching Event of the Year at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards. This honour follows a record year in December 2006 with over 100 boats
entering the event and with a record media turnout. It is the second consecutive year
the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta won this prestigious award.

With the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Regatta is organised by
the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of
the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand,
the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

For more information contact :
Regatta Office, Tel. +66 (0) 7627 3380
e-mail : info@kingscup.com
website : www.kingscup.com
(The regatta is where further information and Notice of Race can be found.)
For racing inquiries, contact Simon James on racing@kingscup.com

from http://www.tourismthailand.org

Phuket Thailand Open 2008 : SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08

SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 08
Date : 4 – 9 November 2008
Venue : Karon Beach, Phuket

One of the World Tour of SWATCH FIVB Beach Volley World Tour and the current biggest match of Asia. Meet the world top 20 in the excited game on the white sandy beach of Phuket.

Contact:
- Tourism Authority of Thailand, Events Promotion Division,
Tel. 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext 3495-8
- TAT Southern Office : Region 4, Tel. 66 (0) 7621 1036, 66 (0) 7621 2213
Website: www.tourismthailand.org

Buffalo Racing in Thailand

Buffalo Racing

You could be forgiven for thinking that a domesticated buffalo is not
built for sprinting, but in Chonburi town, the gateway to resorts along
the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, farmers have managed
to tweak a turn of speed from these working animals that is
nothing short of amazing.

The annual Buffalo races, 13 October, are a hotly contested series of
sprints across on an open space in front of the town’s municipal offices.
Tourists and the town’s residents turn out for these amazing races
that have been featured in the past on CNN and the BBC as a must-see event.

The races are taken very seriously by the owners of the buffaloes.
Prizes for the first nose past the finishing line guarantee owners go to
considerable lengths to ensure their buffaloes are in tip-top condition.
Clouds of dust rise as these hefty animals pound down the short course
at an alarming speed, reminiscent of a stampede. The crowd roars in
support of the favourites and the atmosphere is as an enthralling
as watching thoroughbred race horses.
Admittedly, mites slower than a race horse, but the buffaloes are no slouches
when it comes to making a short dash for glory.

Although this day of fun and competition would succeed with just the
buffaloes as the celebrities, there are other activities to make it a worthwhile
outing for families.

A fair with food stalls and handicrafts appeals to visitors who love authentic
Thai food, snacks and sweets. Then there are the rides for children,
concerts of folk music and, of course, a beauty contest where the prize is the
honour of being declared Miss Buffalo.

Not exactly the most adhering of titles for an aspiring beauty queen,
but it does not seem to deter contestants from seeking the limelight of the catwalk.
Here is a festival that provides photo opportunities to capture an unusual adaptation
of the 100-metre dash. Well worth seeing, is always the conclusion of those
who make the effort to travel to Chonburi.

If the more traditional version of four-legged races is more appealing then
the venue should be the Horse Show, 23 October at the Sanctuary of Truth,
also in Chonburi province, on the outskirts of Pattaya The show is organised
to commemorate the reign of King Rama V, the Great, on a day set aside as a
national holiday to honour a ruler who initiated many of the developments
that ultimately encouraged the economic and social transformation of the nation.

from http://www.tourismthailand.org