Thailand Live Thursday 21 Jul 2011

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those who wish to follow the news can find it here...

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 20 Jul 2011

Today's Thailand weather and forecasts:

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UPDATE

20m euro cash guarantee demanded for Boeing

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Wage rises could cost Bt100 bn in foreign direct investment (FDI)

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UPDATE

P Penh: no Troop withdrawal now

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SOUTH CRISIS

New mastermind behind Southern bombing : police

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UPDATE

BLACK HAWK DOWN

Relatives of missing soldiers are praying for a miracle

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'Business as usual' not an option in the deep South: Thai Opinion

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THAI TALK

A desperate plea from the South to new Pheu Thai govt

By Suthichai Yoon

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Phuket tourist beaches warned of landslide threat

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UPDATE

Russians arrested to face money laundering charges

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UPDATE

Resorts on Korat parkland ordered shut

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Many Thais say corruption is acceptable if country prospers, poll finds

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Defamation battle begins on Constitution Court video

By The Nation

The Criminal Court yesterday decided it would launch a judicial review on libel in connection with the distribution of a doctored video clip designed to undermine the Constitution Court last year.

The court has scheduled for the defence and the prosecution to examine evidence on December 19 as part of pretrial preparations.

The case came to light after the clip was posted on YouTube under the anonymous name "Ohmygod 3009".

The clip depicted an exchange of views among high-court judges in their private chamber pertaining to the Democrat Party dissolution case.

Subsequently three judges, Charoon Inthajarn, Chalermpon Ake-uru and Suphot Khaimuk, filed the defamation suit.

The prosecution has named three defendants - the high court president's private secretary Pasit Sakdanarong, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit, and the Matichon newspaper - for allegedly conspiring to doctor and illegally distribute the clip with the aim of smearing the judges.

The prosecution contends that the three wanted to undermine the court's credibility before it handed down a judgement on the Democrat Party.

It further argues that the conversation shown in the clip was skewed, an offence for spreading false information under the computer law.

It requests that Matichon publish a full-page apology via its online and print editions and in its sister publication Khao Sod for three months.

-- The Nation 2011-07-21

'Shinawatra factor' and lies played a role in Pheu Thai win: Korbsak

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Thai Democrats need to change themselves first, say experts

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BURINING ISSUE

Who can lead the Thai Democrat Party?

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Princess grants free pap tests for 5,000 women

By The Nation

HRH Princess Chulabhorn Valayalaksana has initiated a project to help 5,000 women protect themselves from cervical cancer.

"This disease is one of the top killers in this country and most patients only go to the doctor when it's too late," Chulabhorn Hospital vice president Dr Charas Suwanwela said yesterday.

In some cases, the symptoms are not noticeable until the cancer is in an advanced stage.

Under this five-year project, the Chulabhorn Hospital will provide thin-prep pap tests for 5,000 women, and if anyone is found affected, they will receive immediate treatment.

Screening over the five-year period will also help other participants protect themselves. Those interested can register on www.cccthai.org or call (02) 576 6600-5 for information.

-- The Nation 2011-07-21

Panda pregnancy keeps Chiang Mai Zoo guessing

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Phrae and Chiang Rai networks demand land reforms

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CENTRAL

Central plans to triple the number of Tops minimarts in Thailand

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TELECOM

New 3G options on offer, but full service still not ready

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Thailand's Irresistible Attraction for Fugitives

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AP: Texas inmate executed for fatal shooting he says was retaliation for 9/11 terrorist attacks /via@mpoppel

3 male prisoners escape on stolen motorcycle in Songkhla; police able to apprehend 1 already /TAN_Network

Election commissioner Sodsri says EC will most likely endorse MP-elects to allow House to convene and disqualify problematic ones later /

Abhisit reports for duty at Parliament; asks red-shirts not to pressure EC to endorse their 12 leaders as MPs /

PM says Cambodia must withdraw troops from around Preah Vihear before Thailand approves entrance of foreign observers /

Military seeks Burmese army's help in searching for down Black Hawk; not confident foot patrol team will reach crash site today /

Army chief hoping for survivors from BlackHawk crash;affirms army will take care of family of 5 soldiers who died in 1st chopper crash /

/TAN_Network

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Thai stock index opens on Thursday at 1,103.18, up 1.81 points /MCOT

Myanmar authorities identify Black Hawk crash location; Thai army sending more rescuers to reach site on foot /MCOT

Thailand Ready to Send Border Patrol Cops to Disputed Area

The army spokesman has affirmed that the troop withdrawal from the Preah Vihear vicinity will be conducted in line with the World Court's order, with the best interests of the country in mind.

Acting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said if Cambodia stations its border patrol police officers at the Preah Vihear Temple to avoid the International Court of Justice's order, the Thai government will do the same.

The World Court ruled earlier this week that both Thailand and Cambodia must withdraw troops from its vicinity.

Abhisit noted that Thailand will do everything for the best benefit of the country, and the World Court order must be interpreted as to whether border patrol police officers are categorized as 'troops'

The PM denied that the army feels uneasy about the matter, but said it may have had some feelings over the troop withdrawal order.

Abhisit went on to say that Thailand and Cambodia will have to discuss the issue, and ensured that Thailand will not be strategically at a disadvantage in the troop pullout.

Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkumnerd said outing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the army and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to coordinate over the process of the troop withdrawal from the Preah Vihear Temple's vicinity after the International Court of Justice has issued an injunction, as the current administration is only an interim government.

However, the army spokesman went on to say that the Thai soldiers still remain in the disputed area, as the troop readjustment must be carried out cautiously, without the feeling of either losing or gaining benefit from the action.

Sansern stated that the talks will be held with Cambodia before the army makes any decisions, as the process will help ensure that the military is capable of protecting Thailand's sovereignty.

He said a discussion will be held to consider how to pull the troops out, but the withdrawal is unlikely to be carried out in the near future because there are many details to be discussed.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-21

Election Panel Urged to Endorse Red-Shirt MPs-Elect

Core leader of the red-shirt group and Pheu Thai Party MP-elect Nuttawut Saikuea says his group is considering further moves, as the Electoral Commission is still withholding the endorsement of MP status for red-shirt elected candidates....

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Abhisit gets his balloting credentials from EC

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday reported to the Election Commission to receive his balloting credentials after having his votes as Democrat party-list MP endorsed.

Abhisit has yet to present his balloting credentials to Parliament in order to complete the final step in reporting for duty following the July 3 vote.

-- The Nation 2011-07-21