Gary Glitter back in Thailand but denied entry

Disgraced rocker Gary Glitter, who had been deported to Thailand after he refused to board a plane for US, is back in Bangkok again Thursday after Hong Kong denied him entry. Hong Kong immigration officials had refused him entry into the country after interviewing him.

Police Col. Worawat Amornwiwat said the Glitter would not be allowed to enter Thailand and Glitter’s airline, Thai Airways, should ensure he continues on his originally planned journey to England.

“Thailand is not allowing him to enter the country and Hong Kong is turning him back so there is no choice for him now,’ Worawat said.”It is the responsibility of Thai Airways to take him out of the country.”

Lt. Gen. Chatchawal Suksomchit, chief of Thailand’s immigration police, said Glitter was denied entry because under Thai immigration laws those convicted of child sex abuse in a foreign country can be barred. Glitter, 64, was convicted in March 2006 of committing “obscene acts with children.” He served two years and nine months of a three-year sentence, which was reduced for good behavior.

Glitter has once seen glittering days when in 1970s he sold 18 million records and recorded a string of British top-10 hits. His most successful song, the crowd-pleasing anthem “Rock and Roll (Part 2),” had cracked the top 10 in the United States.

GM signs a deal with PTT

General Motors has signed a deal this Thursday with Thailand’s top energy firm PTT to collaborate on research into alternative fuels such as ethanol for cars. The deal was signed one day after GM announced a 445-million-dollar investment to build a new diesel engine plant and to upgrade an existing assembly plant in Thailand.

This research will concentrate on finding ways to enhance ethanol production from crops that are not used for food. The firms will also study hydrogen fuel, low-cost hybrid engines, and other fuel-saving technology in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia

“The strategy will focus on alternative energy that is socially responsible, economic, environment-friendly and with practical technology. GM and PTT will cooperate to study possible markets as well as the infrastructure needed to realise benefits from increased use of alternative energy,” GM chief executive Richard Wagoner said in a statement.