Thailand Live Today - Live Tuesday

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Democrat’s fund misuse defense reaches Constitutional Court

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Democrat Party’s legal team has handed the defense on the party’s fund mishandling allegation to the Constitutional Court.

Mr Nipit Intarasombat, in his capacity as Democrat MP for Phatthalung and leader of the Democrat legal team, revealed that he was satisfied with the reviewing of related legal issues and the collection of information over the past month for the party’s case involving alleged misuse of a political development fund. He said the complete defense statement would be submitted to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday afternoon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva officially signed the document.

The Election Commission (EC) last month voted to dissolve the Democrat Party on grounds of illegal acquisition of donation worth 258 million THB from Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) Plc and mishandling a political development fund worth 29 million THB provided by the EC.

-- NNT 2010-05-25

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Ex-Australian army sniper nabbed for joining UDD

BANGKOK, 25 May 2010 (NNT) – A former Australian military sniper has been arrested in Bangkok for taking an active role in the recent anti-government protest and staying in Thailand with expired visa.

The Aussie, identified as Mr Conor David Purcell, was nabbed by the Immigration Bureau’s ad-hoc team while resting in his apartment in Sathorn district today. A preliminary investigation reveals that the man used to serve in the Australian Army as a trained sniper before traveling to Thailand. He has been in and out of the Kingdom 4 times and even made an appearance on the stage of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) during the recent mass demonstration.

Mr Purcell was first arrested for residing in Thailand on expired visa and faced an additional charge for demonstrating with the UDD after being questioned by the police. He is now detained at Pathumwan Municipal Court in Bangkok while further investigation will be conducted on whether the suspect is related to recent sniper attacks in the city or not.

-- NNT 2010-05-25

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Hotels in Ratchaprasong area are ready to reopen

Bangkok (NNT) -- Many leading hotels in Ratchaprasong area confirm their readiness to re-operate after 6 weeks of disruption, as a consequence of a long protest by the anti-government UDD or the Red Shirts demonstrators.

Five-star hotels along Ratchaprason area are prepared for their reopening day with the hopes to regain customer confidence and trust as soon as possible. Reconstruction and redecoration are being conducted to ensure customer satisfaction and safety.

General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok, Mr Rainer Stampfer revealed he was very pleased to see that things were getting back to normal as businesses were resuming their normal opening hours. He added that Four Seasons hotel’s staffs were very glad to be back at work again after almost two months of work absence due to political turmoil.

Mr Stampfer hoped that guests would regain their confidence and come back to use the hotel services like before.

A long term protest by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had closed down the Thai capital’s prime commercial area of Ratchaprasong, affecting nearly 25,000 employees. More than fifty deaths and over four hundred injuries were reported from the political turmoil.

-- NNT 2010-05-25

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Red-shirt Leader Denies Terrorist Charges

A top red-shirt leader has denied charges of terrorism as he turned himself in to investigators today.

Chatuporn Prompan, a red-shirt core-leader and MP of Pheu Thai Party, joined by fellow party member Wichian Kaokum, met with investigators of the Department of Special Investigation.

Chatuporn previously submitted to arrest at the National Police Office before traveling to meet with the DSI investigators amidst support from members of the protest group.

The red-shirt chief has denied all charges against him, including crimes of terrorism. He told investigators that he will submit his written statement within 30 days.

Chatuporn's attorney, Karom Pontaklang, said that the terrorist charges against his client will be easily contested as the only evidence being used to support the charges have thus far been video tapes of speeches made by Chatuporn.

He elaborated that no fault can be found with Chatuporn's public statements as they were made at political rallies, not terrorist gatherings.

Asked about the whereabouts of another red-shirt leader Arisaman Pongruangrong, Karom said he has not been in contact with Arisaman.

He noted, however, that all of the remaining red-shirt leaders have agreed to turn themselves in as soon as the Emergency Decree is revoked to avoid inflated charges.

DSI Director General Tharit Pengdit later declined commenting on his meeting with the red-shirt head, saying that the details of his investigation are confidential.

Chatuporn was allowed to leave after the morning's investigation, using his privilege as a member of the House of Representatives. Authorities handling his case have stated that they may seek a Senate ruling to detain Chatuporn, if there are signs he will flee.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-25

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Hunt on for Provincial Hall Torchers

Police are continuing their efforts in the apprehension of red-shirt suspects responsible for instigating violence while the Ubon Ratchathani authorities have arrested a suspect in the arson attack on the provincial hall

Earlier today at the Ubon Ratchathani provincial police headquarters, police brought in 23-year-old Pattama or Oun Mulnin, who was hiding at an apartment in Muang district of Surin province. She is wanted for involvement in the arson attack on the Ubon Ratchathani provincial hall.

Authorities have issued arrest warrants for a total of 91 suspects. Fifty-seven suspects have been charged for the arson attack on the provincial hall and 34 for vandalism and destruction of private properties.

Police have apprehended 21 suspects, who are being detained at an Ubon Ratchathani prison.

Muang Udon Thani police station superintendent Police Colonel Chawit Srijan has disclosed that provincial police have grouped the cases related to the red-shirt violence into six, including the arson attacks on the provincial hall and the municipal office, attempted arson at the governor's residence and Udon Thani's provincial administrative organization, murder attempts and unauthorized anti-government radio broadcasts.

Local authorities have submitted the cases to the Department of Special Investigation for further assessment.

In Chiang Mai province, local authorities have arrested Sayan Saengsiri at his home in Saraphi district after they found evidence that he was responsible for distributing the tires that were used in the arson attack at the residence of the Chiang Mai governor's assistant on May 19.

Sayan has denied all charges against him.

Meanwhile, security checks at the Thai-Malaysian border in Satun province have been stepped up in an effort to apprehend fugitive red-shirt leader Arisaman Pongruangrong, who is believed to be hiding in Muang district.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-25

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Foreign Embassies in BKK Reopen

Foreign embassies in Thailand maintain their travel advisories for Bangkok given concerns about security.

Meanwhile, several foreign embassies in the capital reopened today after a week-long closure during the political unrest.

The United States, British, New Zealand and Australian embassies reopened today after being closed since May 13 due to the riots.

The British embassy on Chidlom Road, the nearest location to the red-shirt rally site, re-assumed services of both the consulate department and trade and investment center.

However, the embassy is still unsure about the overall security in Bangkok so it will re-evaluate the situation on a daily basis. Its assessment will be put on its official website.

The US embassy opened some parts of its services yesterday and returned to full operation today while its Japanese counterpart already moved back to its regular offices after having to rent space at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel to help Japanese citizens during the protests.

The Finish embassy will move back to its regular office at Amarin Tower this Thursday.

After the closure, several embassies reopened today to an overload of visitors. There is still a lot of backlogs on visa applications.

Several foreign embassies still maintain their highest degree of warnings for their citizens to avoid Bangkok and other provinces as the situation in Thailand has not yet been deemed completely safe.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-25

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[Thaivisa News]

Democrat’s fund misuse defense reaches Constitutional Court: http://bit.ly/cyz5A3

Ex-Australian army sniper nabbed for joining UDD: http://bit.ly/bniNDE

Hotels in Ratchaprasong area are ready to reopen: http://bit.ly/alPn8Y

Red-shirt Leader Denies Terrorist Charges: http://bit.ly/9IWDrT

Hunt on for Provincial Hall Torchers: http://bit.ly/cdbXcn

Foreign Embassies in BKK Reopen: http://bit.ly/cyNwrS

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Today - Wednesday 26

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Liv...da-t369158.html

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