Thailand Live Today - Live Saturday

[webfact]

Thailand Live Today - Saturday May 29

with webfact

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.

FOLLOW US:

You can also follow us on

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/georgebkk

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews

- Breaking News via SMS text messages to your mobile phone or handheld device

To subscribe dial *424010011 on AIS, One-2-Call, DTAC or True Move networks

14 days complementary subscription for Thaivisa members.

If you have questions about the Breaking News SMS service,

email: sms [at] thaivisa.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand's current weather and forecasts: http://weather.thaivisa.com/

________________________________________________________________________________

Related topic: Thailand Live Today - Live Friday

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Liv...ay-t369759.html

[Maestro]

Four Thai government agencies to meet on bringing Thaksin back to face charges

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) -- Four Thai government agencies are scheduled to meet Tuesday to map measures to return fugitive, ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to face terrorism charges in Thailand, a senior official said Friday.

Thailand’s Criminal Court issued a warrant for Mr Thaksin’s arrest on terrorism charges in connection with the violent Red Shirt protest. Mr Thaksin stands accused of masterminding and funding the violent protest of the Red Shirts which culminated in an army assault and Red Shirt arson in the capital and provinces in the North and Northeast during the past week.

Director-General Tarit Pengdit of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said the agency together with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Royal Thai Police Bureau and the International Affairs Department of the Office of the Attorney General will meet Tuesday to plan how to bring back Mr Thaksin, now living in self-exile overseas.

Mr Tarit also said the DSI will seek arrest warrants for more anti-government Red Shirt key figures next week as concerned officials are now gathering evidence against them.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign affairs minister, said he had received a report that Mr Thaksin had left France and that he is awaiting a reply from the Montenegrin government whether it would extradite the ousted premier as Thailand asked earlier. Admitting that it is quite difficult to bring back Mr Thaksin, Mr Chavanond said his ministry would put efforts in line with “righteous process and evidence”.

Asked about the ex-premier's plan to sue the Thai government at the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, he said it is impossible as Thailand has not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The International Criminal Court is authorised to rule on genocide, invasion, war criminals and international war and crimes against humanity.

The United Nations Security Council will not intervene as it is Thailand’s domestic affair, he said.

A report by the Associated Press (AP) in Podgorica said the Montenegrin government would not extradite or put Mr Thaksin on the track of justice without valid proof or an international arrest warrant. The ousted premier has acquired a Montenegrin passport and stays occasionally in a seaside villa.

Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic told the news agency Thursday that Montenegro gave Mr Thaksin citizenship partly because of his planned multimillion investments in Montenegro’s tourism. However, the premier said “we have mechanisms to correct our decisions” if need be. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-28

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Maestro]

Brisk trade as shoppers descend on Silom walking, shopping street

By The Nation

Published on May 29, 2010

Shoppers converged on Silom Road yesterday to help thousands of small business vendors hit hard by the recent redshirt rally.

Trade was brisk, with many vendors rushing back to their stores to restock their makeshift stalls several times.

"I've come here with the intention of helping the vendors," one shopper said.

She was among the first people to descend on Silom Road, which is serving as a walking and shopping street this weekend.

The authorities have closed it and a portion of Narathiwat Road to traffic, in order to accommodate the stalls of vendors whose business plunged drastically during the period of the red shirts' rally.

Many vendors were unable to run their stalls during the marathon protest, because the presence of redshirt demonstrators scared customers away.

Others lost their stall space and much of their stock when hardcore red shirts went on the rampage in Bangkok on May 19, torching several shopping centres, including CentralWorld and Centre One.

"I've been unable to open my stall in Soi Rajdamri 2, near Big C Rajdamri, since April 2," Thanapat Sasiang said as he offered perfume to customers on Silom.

Soi Rajdamri 2 is close to the Rajprasong intersection, which the redshirt demonstrators occupied for more than a month. Big C Rajdamri was also set ablaze last week.

Thanapat is still unable to return to his old location.

Bag seller Wantana Boonyingwan said she had sold her wares at a big discount yesterday, because she was running short of cash.

"Sales have dropped drastically since the redshirt rally began," she said. "I badly need cash for my daily expenses."

Admitting she had cried several times during the past month, Wantana was buoyed by the huge number of customers on Silom Road yesterday.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai, who copresided over the "Together We Can Grande Sale", expected 300,000 shoppers to visit the walking and shopping event over three days.

"Sales should be well over Bt100 million," she said.

On sale are a variety of goods, from clothing and accessories to commodities.

Metropolitan Police Division 5 commander MajGeneral Anuchai Lekbamrung said more than 100 policemen, both in uniform and in plain clothes, were deployed to ensure security along Silom.

"There are also about 100 soldiers deployed on highrise buildings and in Skytrain stations," he said.

In a related development, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration spokesman Thanom Onketpol said many shopping malls had offered to help vendors previously located inside fireravaged Centre One by offering free space for up to six months.

"Interested vendors can register for the benefits at the Ratchathewi district office from 1pm this Sunday," Thanom said.

Mass Rapid Transit Authority governor Chukiat Photayanuvat said Metromall in Chatuchak subway station would also offer free space for up to six months for vendors affected by the recent unrest.

Those interested can register at Metromall from 10am to 5pm until Tuesday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-28

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Govt approves Bt88m for building construction to help Siam Square vendors

The government has approved a Bt88-million budget to construct a building to accommodate Siam Square entrepreneurs who lost their shops in the red shirt riot.

"The construction of the semi-permanent building should be completed within 25 days," PM's secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu said Saturday.

He added that the building would provide the affected entrepreneurs with free space for up to six months.

While waiting for the construction to be completed, Korbsak said, the entrepreneurs affected by the riot would be allowed to operate stalls at a corner of Siam Square for free.

"They can start running their stalls from today onward. We are committed to giving the means of livelihood back to the affected entrepreneurs as soon as possible," Korbsak added.

The entrepreneurs are also each entitled to Bt50,000 financial assistance from the government.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Old woman found dead inside toilet room of shopping mall in Pathum Thani

PATHUM THANI: -- - An unidentified old woman was found dead inside a shopping mall here Saturday.

The body of the woman was found in one of the toilet rooms of Tesco-Lotus shopping mall at 2 pm.

A maid alerted security officials to open the room after noticed that the woman locked herself in the room for about two hours.

The woman did not carry any identification card. She appeared to be about 60 to 65 years old.

Her body was sent to the Thmmasat Chalermphrakiart Hospital for an autopsy.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Govt will lift curfew if police can ensure security

By THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The government said yesterday it was ready to lift the curfew in Bangkok and its adjoining provinces, provided the police were ready to take security responsibilities over from the military.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the authorities would assess the situation in different areas to determine if the curfew should be extended.

"If the police say they can take over from the military, we are ready to lift the curfew," he said. However, he added that such a decision would be based on careful consideration, taking into account the negative impact the curfew would have on residents.

"We are aware that people want their lives to return to normal, and we must try to make that happen as soon as possible," Abhisit said.

The curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces, which was declared after the May 19 riots and renewed a few times, expired at 4am today.

When asked how long the state of emergency would be retained, the PM said yesterday he could not set an exact time because the decree was needed to prevent a resurgence of activities that could threaten national security and complicate the situation.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday the government wanted to lift the curfew as soon as possible so as to avoid a bigger impact on local residents.

Suthep, who heads the Centre of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), said he was waiting for the police to confirm they are capable of maintaining security in Bangkok and taking over from the armed forces.

"I will then report to the prime minister, who has the authority of declaring or lifting the curfew," Suthep said, adding that the decision on the curfew would be made no later than today.

Earlier yesterday, national police chief General Patheep Tanprasert said it was likely the curfew would not be extended in Bangkok and surrounding provinces because the situation appeared stable.

Patheep said he had given the Metropolitan Police commissioner the job of evaluating the situation and reporting to Suthep, who would then decide whether an extension was necessary.

"There is a tendency there will be no extension because the situation in Bangkok and the surrounding areas is stable," Patheep said. "Extension of the curfew might affect people who have to make their living at night."

On Thursday, CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said there was a likelihood the curfew would not be extended in the North and Northeast, because regional commanders had said the situation in those areas was under control.

The military has also reported "gradual positive development" in Bangkok and adjacent provinces, the spokesman said.

Suthep has given Patheep the job of deciding whether the police are prepared to deal with security matters once the curfew is lifted.

Meanwhile, Department of Special Investigation director-general Tharit Pengdit said yesterday his agency was seeking arrest warrants for more red-shirt leaders who had violated the emergency decree by leading street protests in Bangkok and the provinces. He said he expected the warrants to be issued next week for these "third-generation leaders".

Lt-General Wiwalit Jonsamrit, commander of the Second Army Region, said the situation in all 19 provinces in the Northeast was returning to normal, with no more violent attacks taking place recently.

He said military authorities had told community radio owners in the region to avoid breaking the law.

Community radio stations, mostly operated by red-shirt leaders, are blamed for inciting unrest and spreading anti-government sentiment.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

PM Abhisit challenges Thaksin

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-C...in-t370035.html

[webfact]

Army says some Cambodian workers carried bomb materials

By The Nation.

PRACHIN BURI: -- Field army staff at a border checkpoint in Prachin Buri province's Aranyaprathet district have uncovered alleged bombmaking materials carried by Cambodian labourers seeking work in Thailand.

Captain Chan Wongwaimethee, commander of Army Ranger company 1206, said his officers found three boxes containing 200 grams of gas in 73 cans and a number of spikes. The cans were inside white fertiliser bags hidden under a wheelbarrow.

Chan said the items could be used to make bombs and their transport across the border is forbidden.

"They might have been taking the materials to rebel groups in the southern border provinces," he said.

His team has sent the confiscated items to be examined and destroyed.

Chan said the group of 207 Cambodians had planned to work at an industrial factory in Songkhla province's Hat Yai district.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thaivisa News]

Army says some Cambodian workers carried bomb materials: http://bit.ly/bvf8w1

Thailand: Govt will lift curfew if police can ensure security: http://bit.ly/dr8nrF

Govt approves Bt88m for building construction to help Siam Square vendors: http://bit.ly/adGr5P

Bangkok: Brisk trade as shoppers descend on Silom walking, shopping street: http://bit.ly/d56TEf

Bangkok Governor: "Before we advise foreigners to come to Thailand, we must be able to ensure their safety." /via @RichardBarrow

[webfact]

Cases of 2,500 drug-war killings in Thaksin´s government can be renewed: DSI

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Cases-2-500-...ha-t370054.html

[webfact]

Thaksin Confident Interpol Won't Cooperate with Thai Govt

Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told various foreign press agencies that he is confident the International Criminal Police Organization will not cooperate with the Thai government.

However, Thaksin admitted that the recent riots were the work of professionals, but said it is not the work of red-shirt protesters.

Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra spoke to ABC News Australia in a telephone interview this past Wednesday.

In the interview, Thaksin said that Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, has its own standards of judging whether the Thai government's request for its assistance to arrest him is politically motivated or not.

The former PM expressed confidence that Interpol would not cooperate with the Thai government, as the government has not submitted substantive evidence.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera recently reported that the Thai Criminal Court has approved the issuance of the arrest warrant for the former PM on the charges of terrorism.

The foreign press revealed that the court's decision was based on substantive evidence that Thaksin had displayed suspicious behavior, verbally threatened, and supported the recent terrorist acts in Thailand.

Al Jazeera also noted that, if Thaksin is found guilty at trial, he could face capital punishment.

Thaksin has told various foreign press organizations that he agrees that the recent rampage of arson and looting in Thailand seemed to have been the work of professionals.

However, the former PM rejects claims that it was the work of the red-shirt protesters.

Thaksin said he truly believes the red-shirt protesters do not support violence and that they only protest peacefully.

In a phone interview from an undisclosed location, the fugitive former PM told the Globe and Mail News in Canada that reconciliation in Thailand is far ahead in the future.

However, Thaksin did say that he is ready to reconcile, but that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is trying to eliminate political opponents rather than work to achieve reconciliation.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanich disclosed that the government is looking to sue Thaksin and red-shirt leaders for compensation for economic damages that occurred during the most recent red-shirt protest, which amounts to an estimated 3 billion US dollars, or 98 billion baht.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

BMA launches first BRT line

MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra Saturday chaired the opening ceremony of the BRT service between Sathorn and Ratchapruek.

The BRT buses will start the service free of charge at 1 pm Saturday until September 1.

After the test-run period, the bus fare will be a flat rate of Bt10 for four months after which the progressive rates of Bt12 to 24 will be enforced.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Google map of new Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) bus route in Bangkok: http://bit.ly/d3W83W /via @RichardBarrow

[webfact]

CRES says curfew extension is up to Govt

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) indicates that the government will consider the curfew extension. All related agencies have agreed that curfew period extension is unnecessary at present.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd the CRES Spokesperson unveiled that the CRES’s meeting on 27 May was attended by relevant agencies in Bangkok and other provinces where curfew had been imposed, and they all consented to lift the curfew. However, it is the responsibility of the government to reconsider whether to prolong the curfew period.

CRES Spokesperson added that the CRES would hold a meeting again on 30 May to closely monitor the current situation.

-- NNT 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Public transports resume normal operations after curfew expires

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The BTS Skytrain and the MRT subway have started running their normal hours from 06.00-24.00 hrs today as the situation is deemed safe, and the curfew has expired.

According to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, the operator of the BTS Skytrain, the company is providing the train services as usual from 06.00-24.00 hrs, starting from 29 May, after the curfew came to expiration on Friday. All BTS stations are now open.

The operator of the MRT subway, Bangkok Metro Plc (BMCL), has also decided to return to its normal service hours today from 06.00-24.00 hrs although the government is still mulling over the extension of the curfew.

Meanwhile, Director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Opas Phetmunee said the BMTA was ready to put all daytime buses and private-run buses back to their operations as soon as the government and the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) declared the curfew revocation.

-- NNT 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thaivisa News]

Public transports resume normal operations after curfew expires: http://bit.ly/9nkAuS

CRES says curfew extension is up to Govt: http://bit.ly/cZeSy6

AFP: Thai authorities lift curfew imposed after deadly unrest

[webfact]

Thai Authorities Lift Curfew Imposed After Deadly Unrest: PM

<Did the curfew had any major impact on your daily life?>

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-Authori...se-t370137.html

[webfact]

AFP: "The curfew will be lifted but the state of emergency will remain in place," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters.

Siam Sq has returned yet even more crowded. http://tweetphoto.com/24486872 /via @veen_NT

[webfact]

Their Majesties grant lunch, medical services to Bonkai residents

Their Majesties the King and Queen sent free lunches and help to residents of the Bonkai Community on Rama IV Road Saturday.

The National represented Their Majesties to organize a free lunch for the Bonkai residents.

Doctors were also sent to perform medical check-up and treatment for the residents.

Many of them also receive free haircut from barbers sent by Their Majesties and had their broken things fixed by mechanics also sent by Their Majesties.

The community was hard hit when red-shirt people seized control of the road in front of the community to fight against troops.

-- The Nation 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Hard to return Thaksin to face trial in Thailand if he gives up Thai citizenship

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3651390

[Thaivisa News]

Hard to return Thaksin to face trial in Thailand if he gives up Thai citizenship: http://bit.ly/999N31 /via MCOT

We miss you Siam Cinema! http://tweetphoto.com/24492807 /via @freakingcat

Thailand: Thai prime minister says difficult to hold elections by year-end /via @suthichai @reutersflash

Their Majesties grant lunch, medical services to Bonkai residents: http://bit.ly/b16N4l

Thailand: Muay Thai star arrested in Phuket: http://bit.ly/cMnjHy

[webfact]

Bhumjaithai backs Abhisit´s administration

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The coalition Bhumjaithai Party does not support reshuffling of the cabinet after the censure debate takes place next week.

Following Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva statement's on Friday mentioning a possibility of cabinet reshuffle after the censure debate, Commerce Minister Pornthiwa Nakasai said the coalition Bhumjaithai Party was satisfied with overall government performance, especially remedial measures being adopted to support arson-affected people.

Speaking on behalf of the Bhumjaithai Party, Mrs Pornthiwa pledged the party's support for Mr Abhisit's administration, saying other coalition parties should not think differently. She believed that Mr Abhisit's government could overcome the no-confidence debate without letting this gridlock affects government's stability.

-- NNT 2010-05-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thaivisa News]

AFP: Britain on Saturday eased travel advice on Thailand, warning nationals to "exercise caution" if travelling to Bkk & Chiang Mai

AFP: At the height of deadly anti-government protests in Bangkok, Britain warned against all travel to the capital.

Police raid SC Park Hotel, search 13 rooms formerly used by Red Shirt leaders; found M16 rifle hidden in ceiling /via MCOT

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Today - Sunday 30

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Liv...ay-t370264.html

//CLOSED//