Thailand Live Today - Live Saturday

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France Bans Thaksin From Talking Politics

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/France-Bans-...ti-t367924.html

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An Air India plane has overshot a runway in Mangalore in southern India flying in from Dubai, 165 feared dead /via @SkyNewsBreak

INDIAN OFFICIAL CONFIRMS 160 DEAD IN MANGALORE PLANE CRASH, SAYS SOME SURVIVORS - http://bit.ly/90hVTY /via @WireUpdate

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EU: Thailand Must Respect Human Rights

The European Union calls for Thailand to respect human rights in restoring the country after using force to disperse anti-government protesters.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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TAN Network: National Police Spokesman: red-shirt leaders internet phones have been confiscated. Emergency Decree says must not put them in prison cells.

as many as 40 are being held, held in groups as there are only 8 rooms available at Naresuan camp. Veera gets medical treatment.

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Red-shirt Leaders Internet Phones Confiscated

Police Major General Prawut Thavornsiri admits that the initial imprisonment of the red-shirt leaders did not go as smoothly as they had expected. As many as 40 protesters are being held at Naresuan camp where there are only 8 rooms available. The suspects have been split into groups to fit in the 8 rooms.

As for the controversial pictures of the red-shirt leaders being held in a comfortable home, Prawut explained that the Emergency Decree strictly says that suspects apprehended under its effect must not be held in a prisoner's cell until after 30 days of the arrest. By that time, Prawut revealed that the suspects may have already been released on bail.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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All Central Dept Stores in & around Bangkok, except Chidlom & Silom, will close today at 7pm /via @ktnews (via @RichardBarrow)

Pongsatat: There will be no condition at all because if they don't turn themselves in, we will still run after them. /via @veen_NT

Pongsatat: More #redshirt leaders including Arisman and Rambo have contacted police through their lawyers to surrender /via @veen_NT

TAN Newtork: Chulalongkorn Hospital announces that it is now open as usual. Patients should come through Henry Dunant. /via @js100radio

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MCOTEnglishnews: BMA Fire and Rescue Dept chief: Two more days needed to put out fire at Central World: Bangkok governor inspects affected areas at 10am

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Police spokesman says "holiday retreat" for surrendered red leaders is nw closed. Suspects detained seperately. Internet used ban /via @tulsathit TR@can_nw

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MRT Subway will open all stations on SUNDAY except Silom, Lumphini & Khlong Toei /via @RichardBarrow

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CTW Fire Not Completely Out Yet

Fire and Rescue Department Director Yuttasak Romchatthong revealed that as many as 9 high-ranked firemen and 10 fire trucks are still hosing down Zen building of Central World Plaza. Yuttasak believes the fire will be completely out in a week.

As for executives' claim that Asia's second largest mall could be completely restored in 6 months, Yuttasak explained that the process takes time. The fire needs to be put out and debris need to be picked up, before engineers could enter the premises to thoroughly examine the damages.

In addition, the BMA has urged entrepreneurs affected by the protests and rioting to register for aid at their district offices from May 24th, to May 31st. The BMA expects the Finance Ministry to grant 7,500 baht per victim.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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The Aftermath In Isaan

Thaivisa YouTube Video - May 21

Footage of the aftermath of protests in the North and Northeast of Thailand.

Produced by Isaac Johnson

-- thaivisa.com 2010-05-21

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Arisman Negotiating Terms of Surrender

National Police Spokesman Lt General Pongsapat Pongcharoen said on Friday that fugitive red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong is negotiating the terms of his surrender.

Arisman is facing charges of terrorism and breaking laws under the Emergency Decree. He fled the Ratchaprasong rally site on May 19th, when soldiers moved in to disperse the protest.

The hardcore red-shirt leader is believed to be facing the most severe charges after having led red-shirt protesters to storm the ASEAN summit and caused its cancellation last April.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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Bullets Found in 'Rambo Isan's Home

Police have reportedly raided the home of fugitive red-shirt leader Suporn Atthawong, infamously known as 'Rambo Isan'. Police found 50 bullets and CDs of all red-shirt leaders' speeches, but the fugitive red-shirt leader was no where to be found.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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BMA firefighters, fire trucks will be stationed at CentralWorld for another week

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will keep its fire fighters and fire trucks at CentralWorld for another week until the fire is completely put out, a senior official said Saturday.

Yutthasak Romchatthong, director of the BMA Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said nine fire fighters, who are considered the masters of fire fighting, will remained stationed at the wreckage of the shopping mall until the fire is completely extinguished.

Yutthasak said it is expected that it will take about seven more days to completely extinguish the smoldering fire.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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Some 30 foreign envoys will get briefing from CRES Saturday

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will brief the latest situation to some 30 foreign envoys at 3 pm Saturday.

Suthep will brief the envoys in his capacity as the director of the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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CRES to Reveal Weapons Found in Red-shirt Rally Site

Earlier this morning, the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations or CRES has gathered all the weapons which related authorities have confiscated from the red-shirt rally. The weapons are laid out on a table, arranged and labelled as to where the arms were found.

The weapons confiscated include M16 and Travo rifles, as well as machetes. Bullets for M16 rifles, AK47 rifles, M60 machine guns, and M79 grenade launchers. Also found were hand grenades M26 and M67 along with large firecrackers, other fireworks, petrol bombs, gas tanks, and more.

Police spokesman Col. Songphol Wattanachai revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will announce the CRES' findings himself later this morning.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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Court Rejects Bail for 114 Rioters

Following a hearing on Friday, the Southern Bangkok Court rejected bail applications of 114 red-shirt protesters, who are facing charges of terrorism and for breaking laws under the Emergency Decree.

The 114 red-shirt protesters are suspects believed to be responsible for the arson rampage since Wednesday. The Southern Bangkok Court approved that the suspects be held for six days until next Wednesday while police are completing a formal report.

The 114 suspects are being held in different places. Thirty-four are being held at the Naresuan base at Hua Hin district of Phetchaburi province; 45 are held at the Border Patrol Police Region 1 detention camp in Pathum Thani province. The rest are being held at Pathumwan and Lumpini police stations.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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TAN Network: All Central Department Stores in Bangkok and metropolitan areas are open until 7pm today EXCEPT for Chidlom branch and Childom Complex.

I think they should have said/meant to say SILOM complex /via @LAGuyinBKK @georgebkk

TAN Network: Forensics Head Dr.Pornthip Rojanasunan is reported collected the DNA of red-leaders to cross-match with DNA from various crime scenes.

"another quiet night in bkk // cleaning process still on // mrt will reopen on sunday (with exceptions), bts on monday" /via @vaitor

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Rama IV partial closure: Entry from Khlong Toei-Sam Yan and exit at Sam Yan-Bon Kai /via @js100radio @RichardBarrow

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CRES lifts curfew in Pattaya

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) lifted its curfew in Pattaya on Friday night after security related agencies prepared their response plan and no violence was expected.

The announcement, which was made at 8.45pm Friday, took effect immediately.

Curfew imposed in Pattaya, in coastal Chonburi province, reportedly severely impacted the tourism business in Pattaya, so CRES lifted the curfew to facilitate business.

Curfews have been imposed in Bangkok and 23 other provinces since Wednesday after a riot erupted in Bangkok and several provinces in the north and northeast.

The violence occurred after several leaders of the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) surrendered to the authorities after the army stepped up its pressure against the protesters encamped at Ratchaprasong since early April.

After the announcement, Pattaya Walking Street at the heart of the famed beach resport district return to life again. Partygoers, Thais and foreigners alike, went out to enjoy the nightlife.

However, many entertainment venues were still closed as the owners were not aware of the announcement.

Government security agencies in Pattaya remain on high alert and strict measures are still in force until the situation returns to normal.

Security checkpoints were increased from five to 10 and the number of police and security volunteers were also increased to monitor government office buildings, service stations and department stores. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-22

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"Where the action used to be" http://tweetphoto.com/23405795 /via @tulsathit @tistoo @potapotypoter

TAN Network: ABAC Poll: 96.6% sad Thais fighting each other and 74.5% approves of PM's 5-point roadmap to reconciliation.

Bangkok's "disaster zones": Bang Rak, Din Daeng, Pathum Wan, Klong Toey, Sathorn, Wattana and Ratchathewi /via @RichardBarrow

Hua Hin's buzzing with expats escaping the curfew (I heard also Koh Samui) /via @RichardBarrow RT @bangkokbangkok

No curfew, no unrest, plenty of nice affordable resorts in Kanchanaburi too. /via @RichardBarrow RT @KristoferA

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The bangkokgovernor is doing a tour of Central World now: All flooded inside http://tweetphoto.com/23420567 /via @RichardBarrow

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TAN Network: School in Sakol Nakorn Province completely destroyed by fire set at 3am this morning while a curfew was in effect.

TAN Network: Bangkok Governor uploaded a picture from inside CTW after his visit at http://tweetphoto.com/23420567 /via @bangkokgovernor

TAN Network: A Honda car blew up in front of Pichit Provincial Hall scaring residents of riots and arson. Initial reports indicate it was an accident.

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Arson in Sakol Nakorn During Curfew

At 3am of Saturday May 22nd, a fire at a school was reported to the authorities. The two-story Bah Mod Pok Noi School in Phananikom District was attended to by 5 fire trucks stationed nearby. Fire fighters were not able to control the fire, as the blaze brought down the school and spread to another school building 8 meters away. It took fire fighters another 2 hours to put out the fire.

Sakol Nakorn Provincial Governor Sombat Triwatsuwan has told police to be extra thorough with its investigation as the fire was set during emergency rule and a curfew declared across 18 districts in the province.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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MCOT: BMA workers clean protest sites; CRES to give press conference for foreign envoys, media http://bit.ly/dtsby4 /http://bit.ly/9igWG4

Used to be rally stage http://tweetphoto.com/23427451 /via @bangkokgovernor

The Globe: Twitters role on the conflicts within #Bangkok http://bit.ly/bMGZPF /Updates: http://bit.ly/9igWG4

Dr.Pornthip said 5 car bombs found at Phloenchit, Chitlom, Mater Dei School, Chalerm Lok (INN) /via @RichardBarrow @MarioThailand

Red Shirt leader Nattawut in his isolated room: http://tweetphoto.com/23427697 /via @Neaw_NBC @naelkung @babyfishie

"Broken hearts and shattered bamboo on streets of #Bangkok" http://twitpic.com/1pwxnz /via @markmackinnon

FCCT statement on the situation in Bangkok and media deaths/injuries in the clashes http://bit.ly/dB31Ur /via @FCCThai @RichardBarrow

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Authorities need a week to kill Central World fire

BANGKOK (NNT) – The fire at Central World Shopping Complex has not been totally put out while the officers expect another 7 days to accomplish the mission.

Director of the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department Yutthasak Romchatthong confirmed that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would not withdraw the fire brigade from the location until the fire was completely extinguished. There are 9 firemen and 10 fire engines stationing the area. The director speculated that it should take another week before the fire died.

Besides some minor wounds of the officers, there have been no reports of other serious injuries during the operation.

As owner of Central World, the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, Central Pattana Plc estimated that the reconstruction of the damaged building would take at least 6 months. The extent of the damage will be evaluated as soon as the site is deemed safe to enter.

The grand shopping mall, located at Ratchprasong Intersection, is badly damaged by arson attacks of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors on Wednesday.

-- NNT 2010-05-22

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CRES moves business assistance center to Chaengwattana

BANGKOK, 22 May 2010 (NNT) – The Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has relocated the assistance center for protest-affected businesses to the Bangkok Government Center Complex on Chaengwattana Road.

The CRES established an assistance center on 21 May 2010 at the 11th Infantry Regiment to aid business operators troubled by the recent anti-government protest in the capital; however, the venue has been overcrowded with registrants.

Therefore, the CRES has moved the aid center to the Bangkok Government Center Complex located on Chaengwattana Road for higher convenience due to the larger space. Another center has also been set up at the Chulalongkorn Book Center to serve affected businesses around the Siam Square shopping area.

-- NNT 2010-05-22

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Labor Ministry to aid rally-affected workers

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Employment under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor will expedite its assistance for businesses and workers impacted by the recent anti-government protest in Bangkok.

Director-General of the Employment Department Songsri Boonba confirmed that the department would hastily provide appropriate aid to all workers hard hit by the prolonged demonstration of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). She said the measures would compensate employees, including those facing employment terminations, for losses of salary and benefits for 6 months. For those who need to find a new career, the department will also supply them with vocational training, plus a 120-THB allowance per day throughout the course.

Meanwhile, the committee for rehabilitating rally-affected people, chaired by Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu, is also set to propose an assistance package for entrepreneurs during the cabinet meeting next Tuesday. The effort aims to help impacted businesses in their recovery in order for them to resume operations as usual and for their employees to receive the least consequences.

-- NNT 2010-05-22

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"#Bangkok 's Central World shopping plaza, still smoldering 60 hours later" http://twitpic.com/1pwy0p /via @markmackinnon

INN: 5 Mcdonald shops around Ratchaprasong will treat police, soldiers, firemen and media for 3 days /via @tukky_NT

CRES(earlier): Press conference by Amnuay Niamao was to explain that #redshirt leaders at Nareasuan didn't have holiday retreat. /v @veen_NT

TAN: Head of Forensics Dep, Dr.Pornthip Rojanasunan: Explosives found in Ratchaprasong, DNA from them will be cross matched with suspects.

"5 car bombs on Rama1 rd, M79 inside CTW, 100's of bullet in ctw's parking lot, 1,000 of ID Card in sewage lines. FOUND" /v @bangkokgovernor

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Buses and Boats to Resume Service

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority said buses on routes in risky areas will not be in service yet. Buses in other routes will be in service, but will avoid risky areas for safety reasons for now. Passengers can call the 184 hotline for more information.

Saen Sab Canal boats will offer regular service on Monday 24th, while express boats will be in service from 6.15am to 6pm.

Ferry boat crossings will be in service from 6.15am to 7.30pm.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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