Thailand Live Today - Live Saturday

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ABAC Poll Reveals Thais Saddened by Conflict

A poll done by Assumption Business Administration College or ABAC revealed that 96.6% of 1,185 households across 17 provinces nationwide is saddened by the conflict amongst Thais.

The 10-question poll done May 21st also revealed that 97.8% of the subjects are sorry for those who have lost their jobs due to the protest. Meanwhile, 74.5% agrees with the Prime Minister's 5-point roadmap to reconciliation.

In addition, ABAC found that most Thais want peace and generosity to be restored. Most also agree that the justice system will be able to deal with those who have broken the law.

Most agree that Visakha Puja Day is a great opportunity for Thais of all 'shirt colors' (political ideology) and religions to join hands to help restore the country together.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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[Thaivisa News]

"Compare&contrast these photos from Nation: http://bit.ly/bwjDiy (in reference to CRES's announcement this morning)" /via @wizardofwindsor

Nation: 'Uproar as red-shirt leaders have an easy life' http://bit.ly/a0N3gi /Updates: http://bit.ly/9igWG4

Suvarnabhumi Customs arrests an Indian narcotics smuggler coming from Mumbai. /via TAN @news1005fm

TAN: Payathai Police Station: all van services resume at Victory Monument Intersection. /via @news1005fm

Interesting on-going discussion: 'What has the last 24 hours been like for you?' http://bit.ly/bcHA46

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Forensics Cross Matching DNA of Red Leaders to Crime Scenes

Forensics Department Head Dr.Pornthip Rojanasunan revealed results after examining Ratchaprasong intersection where red-shirt protesters had occupied for more than a month.

Dr.Pornthip said explosives were found. More than 1,000 suspicious samples were taken to cross match DNA with samples to be taken from suspects at Naresuan camp on Monday, including red-shirt leaders.

As for the investigation at Lumpini Tower, investigators found bullets on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The investigators say the bullets were most likely fired from below.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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TAN Network: DSI Head to file for a court warrant of Redshirt leader Jatuporn Prompan should he fails to turn himself in. /via @news1005fm

On the house!! 5 McDonald's shops around Rajprasong will treat police, soldiers, firemen and media for 3 days. #INN /via @tukkky_nt

TAN Network: Payathai Police Station: all van services resume at Victory Monument Intersection. /via @news1005fm

BMTA: buses will avoid risky areas for safety reasons for now, Call 184. #TAN /via @Tulip_Oum

MCOT: Naresuan Camp Commander: #Redshirt leaders detained separately; no mobile phones, strict control of family visits

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MCOTEnglishnews: Naresuan Camp Commander: Red Shirt leaders detained separately; no mobile phones, strict control of family visits

TAN Network<. Four Season Bangkok opens Wednesday. /via @FSBangkok

There is a possibility that the red-shirts will move against govt underground, former key figure of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party Jaturon Chaisaeng said /via @BPbreakingnews

[Thaivisa News]

"Things to watch later today 1) Will govt totally lift curfew or? 2) The remaining red leaders - will they surrender?" /v @veen_NT

BMA declares Sunday a "Big Cleaning Day", meeting at 5pm to determine if public participation is necessary. /via Tan @js100radio

"B4 ths happened I thought twitter was a waste of time.Boy, U all proved me wrong. thx 4 keeping me informed up 2the second" /v @jackboxer

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Cleaning up Bangkok after unrest

AlJazeera English — Clean-up operations are underway in Bangkok, Thailand's capital,

days after the largest shopping centre in the country was burnt down during deadly unrest

between the red shirt protesters and security forces.

[Thaivisa News]

BBC: '#Bangkok protests: Eyewitness accounts in #Thailand' http://bit.ly/bDocPV /Updates: http://bit.ly/9igWG4

Panithan: Strict supervision of routes around Rajprasong to be lifted soon. Traffic expected to flow normally tomorrow. /via TAN @nnanews

'Cleaning up Bangkok after unrest' http://bit.ly/damjGi

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BMA declares Sunday a "Big Cleaning Day"

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declares Sunday May 23rd a "Big Cleaning Day" in the ex-protest sites.

A meeting at 5pm will determine whether or not public participation is necessary.

A post-meeting announcement will be made through Jor Sor 100 radio.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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MCOT: Central Investigation Bureau chief orders search for Red Shirt leaders still at large; No news of Arisman, no record he left country

Deputy Finance Minister to supervise Rajprasong area. An ad-hoc office is set up for affected businesses. /via TAN @news1005fm

'Bangkok Ware Zone 18/19/20 May 2010' http://bit.ly/a5ZE7E /via John Beara

11th Infantry holding a press conference now. A rather large amount of weapons seized: http://yfrog.com/75xwnj /via @vaitor

Prime Minister of #Thailand at the 11th Infantry Regiment today: http://bit.ly/cjfvmJ /via @is50mm @tukky_nt

MCOT: Deputy PM Suthep holds CRES press conference now for foreign embassies.

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All van services resume at Victory Monument Intersection, BTS/MRT remain closed

Phayathai Police Station confirms all van services at the Victory Monument Intersection has resumed, while BMTA buses have also resumed all services except the routes passing through the ex-protest site in Rajprasong. MRT underground trains are to resume services Sunday May 23rd while BTS Skytrain is set to open its stations on Monday May 24th.

Traffic is reportedly highly congested in many areas today.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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[Thaivisa News]

Shop owner in Pratunam: "I nvr feel safe when police around bt I do feel better with soilders. They (police) hardly do anything" /v @veen_NT

TAN: Thong lor, Ekamai, Sukhumvit reported to be highly congested /via @js100radio

CRES: Announcement soon.

"Flashback 2 April10 crackdown: The heap of assault rifles/shotguns seized tht night from troops" http://twitpic.com/1py5eq /v @BKKApologist

'Nearly everyone upset by clashes: ABAC poll' http://bit.ly/abdRaD /via @nationnews

TAN: Kasikorn Research: SET Index can climb up next week if the political tension eases up, Baht expected to remain at 32.20-32.60/US Dollar

TAN: Bon Kai residents return home, electricity resumes, water contaminated by smoke

TAN: 45 Redshirts arrested for arson of Udonthani Provincial Hall and Municipality. /via @news1005fm

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Related topics:

Thailand Curfew Exacerbates Tourism Woes

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Cur...sm-t368072.html

Over 100 ID cards, redshirt cards found in Bangkok sewer

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/100-ID-cards...an-t368071.html

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breaking: Curfew expected to be lifted in many areas this evening. Stay tuned for more CRES announcements.

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Normal operations gradually returning

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Nearly all business activities in Bangkok will resume on Monday, with commercial banks and retailers opening most of their branches this weekend.

Rajprasong Square Trade Association president Chai Srivikorn yesterday said hotels in the area would resume operations soon after the completion of safety inspections and the resumption of power to the area.

"Those hotels that were only slightly affected can reopen immediately once power is restored, such as the Grand Hyatt, the Intercontinental, the Holiday Inn, the Four Seasons and the Arnoma," he said.

Thai Bankers' Association president Prasarn Trairatvorakul said all commercial banks would resume normal operations on Monday.

Nine banks will reopen their shopping-centre branches today: Bangkok Bank (BBL), Krung Thai Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, TMB Bank, Siam City Bank, Thanachart Bank and Thai Credit Retail Bank.

Prasarn said the branches could close earlier than usual, depending on the circumstances. Clients are urged to use services through other channels, such as ATMs, the Internet and mobile phones.

The Bank of Thailand will receive damage reports from financial institutions on Monday, Assistant Governor Sorasit Soontornkes said.

Seventeen branches of five banks were set ablaze, including 10 belonging to BBL. Those branches will not resume operations soon, and their clients are being urged to use other branches instead.

However, Sorasit said clients should rest assured that no records at any of the 17 branches were lost, because all of the banks had back-up storage.

The Government Housing Bank said it would not operate counters at all shopping centres nationwide, citing safety reasons.

All Central Department Stores and shopping centres opened in the greater Bangkok area were open from 11am to 8pm yesterday, except for the Chidlom and Silom branches. Other ones upcountry were also operating as usual, except the Kad Suan Kaew branch in Chiang Mai, which remains closed. Robinson Department Store will open its stand-alone branches from 11am to 6pm this weekend, while those inside shopping centres will open and close in accordance with the centres' operating hours.

Tesco Lotus Express will open from 7am today, while the hypermarket branches will open at 9am.

With shopping centres reopening, the Major Cineplex Group also resumed operations yesterday at nearly all cinemas from 10am to 6pm, except in Big C Rajdamri and Siam Paragon.

Thai Airways International yesterday said its departure schedule remained unchanged despite the curfew.

Advanced Info Service's customer-service shops in sensitive areas nationwide will reopen today after having been closed since Wednesday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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Weapons put on display, more items found at temple

BANGKOK: -- A large amount of weapons found after the Army dispersed red-shirt protesters from their protest in central Bangkok were shown at a press conference by the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) Saturday for envoys from 30 countries and journalists.

The display also included Army and police weapons seized by United Front for Democracy against Dictator-ship (UDD) protesters during the clashes.

Earlier Saturday at 8.30am, another search of the compound at Wat Pathumwanaram found an AK47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition, a smoke bomb, a makeshift bomb, plus three knives, and an axe.

Three more grenades for the M67 launcher were also found by troops during an examination of the protest's main stage at the Rajprasong intersection.

Police also took 14 cars parked at the temple for inspection at the CRES headquarters before returning them to owners. They included a Mercedes Benz owned by leading UDD member Kwanchai Praipana. Police also took a Nissan van and a Honda Civic to Pathumwan police station because diamonds that were allegedly stolen were found inside these vehicles.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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Nearly everyone upset by clashes: poll

Some 97 per cent of people who responded to an Abac poll said they felt really sad to see Thais not loving each other after the latest clashes between red-shirt protesters and troops and subsequent arson attacks around the country.

Some 96 per cent said they would feel very hurt if the violence caused them or their relatives difficulty, such as the death of someone close.

The poll, conducted by the Academic Network for Community Happiness Observation and Research at Assumption University (Abac) on 1,185 households in 17 provinces on Friday, was revealed Saturday.

About 83 per cent said damage to the country would also hurt them. Some 99 per cent said they sympathised with people who lost jobs because of the clashes.

However, 91 per cent said it was not too late for Thais to express love towards others. And 96 per cent wanted Thai people of different political perspectives to join hands to help the country reconcile, starting from the coming Visaka Puja Day.

Around 72 per cent believed the justice system could help ease the crisis, while 81 per cent believed being a democracy would be solve national problems.

The premier's reconciliation plan was backed by 75 per cent of respondents.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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[Thaivisa News]

Panthip and Platinum malls in Pratunam to reopen Monday May the 24th. /via @news1005fm

Urgent: A bomb just exploded between Wat Patumwanaram and Central World krup. Stay safe krup! http://bit.ly/aTM6gq /via @bangkokgoverner

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Bon Kai residents return home

Bon Kai residents have started to return home after having evacuated from the heavily attacked neighbourhood.

Electricity has resumed but water supply is contaminated by smoke.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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45 Redshirts arrested for arson of Udonthani Provincial Hall and Municipality.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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BTS: The Skytrain will resume all services on Sunday from 8am to10pm, except Rajdumri Station. Call 026176000

MCOT: Deputy PM Suthep: CRES to announce whether to extend curfew or not on Sun & he'll be back at work in Govt House Monday

'Q+A: How have #Bangkok riots hurt the economy, business?' http://bit.ly/cMM8nH

ThaiPBS: Showing the removal of large generators that powered red stage. Trying to find out who owns them to take legal action /v @terryfrd

'Live picture of Ploenchit' http://twitpic.com/1pywxo /via @lindavanderwijk

Erawan: 54 dead, 415 injured between May 14th-19th /via @warakorn_NBC

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BTS to resume sevice Sunday

Bangkok Transit System will resume its skytrain service on Sunday, BTS director Dr Anat Arbhabhirama announced Saturday.

He said the services will run from 8 am to 10 pm in all stations and routes, except at the Rajdamri station, because the station is not ready for service.

On Monday, the service will be available from 6 am to midnight at all stations, except Rajdamri.

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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Press group saddened by killing of Italian, Japanese journalists

Foreign correspondents in Bangkok expressed concern Saturday about intimidation of journalists and sadness over journalists killed during clashes between anti-government protestors and soldiers.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) said it was "deeply saddened by the death of Italian freelance photographer Fabio Polenghi on 19 May from gunshot wounds, and extends its condolences to his family and friends."

It was the second media fatality during the current political unrest in Bangkok, following the fatal shooting on April 10 of Japanese cameraman Hiroyaki Muramoto.//DPA

-- The Nation 2010-05-22

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Radio Community in Chiangmai raided, 3 ping pong bombs found, no Red leader in sight

Up to 200 police officers raided 92.5 MHz community radio station in Chiangmai. 3 homemade ping pong bombs were found along with some other minor weapons. 30 Redshirt members were present during the raid while their leaders were no where to be found.

The radio station can still broadcast as there's not yet evidence of their demogogue activities.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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CRES clarifies Redshirt leaders' allegedly privileged detention at Naresuan

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) announced this afternoon that arrested former Redshirt leaders are not being treated with privilege as widely accused by the public, after photos of their free lifestyle at Naresuan detention camp were leaked on various websites.

The Deputy Police Commander and the Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander clarified that the Redshirt leaders who surrendered themselves to the police and are being detained at Naresuan are not yet defendants in a criminal proceeding, but mere suspects of Emergency Decree violation and terrorism. They affirmed the detainees' lifestyle is as normal as that of any other detainees, with their phones confiscated. They said the detainees were put together in the same lodging as there're not enough rooms for each of them. Security around the camp remains tight.

According to the Emergency Decree, each suspect can be detained up to 7 days, with a 30-day extension, which means that the present nature of the Redshirts' detention is for mere suspects.

The police added that they will not wait for ex-singer turned Redshirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong who remains at large to turn himself in, but are now hunting him down.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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CRES press conference to embassies in Thailand: Redshirt's war weapons on display

At the 11th Infantry Regiment this afternoon, CRES holds a press conference led by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thueksuban to clarify and demonstrate the Redshirts' act of terror to a group of 51 ambassadors and diplomats.

CRES confirmed arson and acts of terrorism in Bangkok was planned by someone from overseas, while displaying confiscated war weapons such as M 79 grenades found at ex-protest sites to representatives of nearly 50 countries at the press conference.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

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[Thaivisa News]

Picture of the generators: http://tweetphoto.com/23451686 /via @barrywells

AFP: 'Thai government accuses Reds over huge weapons cache' http://bit.ly/d8zVn9

'6 undetonated car bombs found at Rajprasong, meant to completely blow up the area' http://bit.ly/drcLr0

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Puea Thai party to grill PM and four ministers; will nominate Chalerm as premier

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thaiand's opposition Puea Thai Party resolved Saturday to file a no confidence motion Monday against the Democrat-led government, targeting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and four ministers, according to Peua Thai MP chairman Chalerm Yubamrung.

If successful, t he move could bring the Peua Thai MP to the premiership.

Pol Capt Chalerm told reporters after the party meeting that his party resolved unanimously to file the motion against Mr Abhisit and four Demorat Cabinet ministers including Korn Chatikavanij, Minister of Finance; Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chavarat Charnvirakul, Minister of Interior and Sopon Zarum, Minister of Transport.

The opposition chief whip, Withaya Buranasiri, will submit the motion to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej in the morning and would present the motion to House Speaker Chai Chidchob in the afternoon seeking a no-confidence debate, he said.

Capt Chalerm also said that the motion nominates him as prime minister if the censure debate leads to the collapse of the coalition government. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-22

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[Thaivisa News]

'Puea Thai party to grill PM and four ministers; will nominate Chalerm as premier' http://bit.ly/cjvdis

With 2 hours until the curfew tonight and highly congested traffic(v js100radio), leave enough time to get back home before 9pm.

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Red Shirt Barricades: Bangkok ablaze as Thai govt rejects immediate peace talks