Thailand Live Friday 4 Jun 2010

[webfact]

Thailand Live Friday 4 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

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who wish to follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Thursday 3 June 2010

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Liv...10-t371456.html

[Maestro]

Families of 6 slain at Bangkok temple file homicide complaint against Thai PM, his deputy

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - The families of the six fatalities found at Bangkok's Pathumwanaran Temple May 19 filed a police complaint Thursday at the Crime Suppression Division, accusing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban for premeditated murder of their family members.

Mr Suthep is director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) which oversees security operation under Emergency Decree

imposed in Bangkok since early April.

Thai Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda and other army commanders who supervised the security operation on May 19 were also accused in the

complaint lodged by the relatives of six victims.

The plaintiffs, led by opposition Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit, also submitted evidence in the form of video clips and photos of what took place within Pathumwanaram Temple to police investigators.

The Puea Thai spokesman urged the police not to treat the case as a special case, citing that the cases under the Department of Special Investigation, particularly the April 10 incident, experienced no progress.

The bodies of the six victims were found in the temple near Ratchaprasong intersection the following day after security operation to seal off the Red Shirt rally site on May 19.

Opposition MPs said during the no-confidence debate early this week that they were shot by army personnel stationed on the BTS Skytrain tracks,

while the prime minister said soldiers did not kill them as autopsy results showed the victims were shot from ground level.

Gen Anupong also reaffirmed Thursday morning that no soldiers were in the area at that time and none of them used arms against the ordinary

demonstrators as they had been instructed to strictly adhere to the principle that they will not harm the people.

The CRES earlier reported armed groups mingled with innocent Red Shirt protesters and attempted to attack troops. Both sides also clashed in key

intersections close to Ratchaprasong, while the country's largest shopping mall CentralWorld and more than 30 buildings in the Thai capital were set

afire by disgruntled protesters after their leaders surrendered to police.

Rescue workers and firemen, however, could not reach the burning buildings as they were threatened by gunfire from militants, while the army claimed its personnel had not yet entered the Ratchaprasong area as they were blocked by the armed groups.

The premier said he will set up a panel to investigate the incidents related to the deadly clashes between security forces and the protesters which led to at least 88 deaths and nearly 1,900 injured during the past two months. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-03

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[Maestro]

Pracharaj not offered to join coalition : Snoh

By The Nation

Snoh

The opposition Pracharaj Party has never been offered to join the coalition bandwagon, party leader Snoh Thienthong said on Thursday in the face of speculation about the invitation for him to switch alliance.

"This is an attempt at disinformation and I should not be asked to comment on what is a false news report," he said.

Snoh said his party did not receive any offer from the coalition and that he was not in contact with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as speculated.

"I am not a political football," he said, refusing to answer any more questions on the matter.

-- The Nation 2010-06-03

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[Maestro]

CENSURE'S AFTERMATH

Decision today on Puea Pandin

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

Published on June 4, 2010

Abhisit under pressure to act against coalition partner over no-confidence vote rebellion, mulls three options

The Puea Pandin Party's Cabinet portfolios are at stake as the ruling Democrat Party ponders its options today to prevent the coalition partner's mini rebellion at the end of the censure debate from further destabilising the government.

Sources said Democrat leaders did not want to act tough against Puea Pandin, considered a good counter-balance to the ambitious and sometimes restless Bhum Jai Thai, but were being hard pressed to react to Puea Pandin's behaviour at the no-confidence vote.

Up to 16 Puea Pandin MPs voted or abstained against Bhum Jai Thai censure targets, forcing the latter party to demand a tough response from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The ruling Democrats, whose own no-confidence targets virtually were not affected by the mini revolt, will hold board and party meetings today to consider whether or to what extent Puea Pandin should be penalised.

Puea Pandin presently holds the ICT and Industry ministry portfolios.

Abhisit will have to weigh the potential consequences of seizing both or one of the two portfolios from Puea Pandin in what would be a tough punishment. Such a measure will leave much, if not all, of Puea Pandin a dissident camp within the coalition.

With the Budget Bill the only parliamentary challenge left for this year, Abhisit could afford to have a group of rebels in the government in the next few months.

His other options, apart from direct punishment, range from dangling a carrot to, again, wielding a stick.

The "compromise" option is to try to keep both Bhum Jai Thai and Puea Pandin in the government. This is what Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban prefer as they do not want any changes in the government.

The ruling Democrat Party's first priority is to continue its roadmap for reconciliation. They do not want to see coalition disunity obstructing the work. The Democrats would desperately try to do everything to keep both Bhum Jai Thai and Puea Pandin in the government, perhaps through budget manipulation or reallocation of ministerial posts to pacify both sides.

Another option calls for dumping Puea Pandin's troublemakers from the coalition without replacing them.

This option will see more than 10 Surin MPs from the Kasem Rungthanakiat faction and Nakhon Ratchsima MPs from the Pairoj Suwanchawee faction, which controls the ICT minister's post, being kicked out of the government.

The Democrat-led government could survive without replacements, or at least it could scrape through the next parliamentary session which will be a legislative session - meaning the opposition won't be allowed to file a no-confidence motion.

As an alternative, to be on the safe side, the Democrats could still bring Pracharaj (eight MPs) and Matubhum (three MPs) from the opposition bloc to join the coalition.

This option would be taken up only if Bhum Jai Thai insisted it wanted Puea Pandin to be punished.

This option could also satisfy the rest of Puea Pandin MPs as it would not affect their ministerial quotas. If there is someone Puea Pandin MPs could blame that person might be party leader Charnchai Chairungrueng for failing to control his party members.

The last option, to be taken up if Bhum Jai Thai unequivocally wanted to burn the bridges with Puea Pandin, would involve Abhisit kicking the latter out of the government. Puea Pandin (32 MPs) can be replaced by Pracharaj (eight MPs) and Matubhum (three MPs) and possibly some Puea Thai MPs planning to defect to any of the coalition parties.

This option is obviously least preferable for the ruling Democrats as it can hurt the government's numerical stability.

The government now has 275 seats. In the case of any untoward development, the government could collapse before the end of its term.

-- The Nation 2010-06-04

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DEATH OF 'WARRIOR'

Bullet that killed Seh Daeng was govt type

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A House committee on military believes that the bullet that killed MajGeneral Khattiya Sawasdipol, a rogue military officer and a prominent member of the redshirt movement, is the sort used by the government.

The committee's chairman Colonel Somchai Pesprasert, a Pheu Thai MP, made the announcement yesterday. He was speaking after he summoned some senior policemen to testify on Khattiya's case.

Khattiya was shot while giving an interview to media at a redshirt checkpoint on May 13. Days later, soldiers successfully marched through the redshirt barricade at the Sala Daeng Intersection.

It is still unclear who shot Khattiya.

National Police Office adviser Pol General Panupong Singhara na Ayutthaya and Scientific Crime Detection Division deputy commander Colonel Thawatchai Mekprasertsuk were summoned by the committee yesterday.

"Police said they started collecting evidence for this case seven days after the shooting," Somchai said yesterday.

Dr Jaroonsak Nualjam - who heads the Vajira Hospital's Forensic Department - explained that the bullet pierced Khattiya's head on the right and came out on the left. There was a 0.4cmwide hole in the right side of his head and a 0.8cmwide hole in the left.

Major Songpol Iamboonrat, adviser to the committee, believed a P90 rifle might have been used to gun down Khattiya.

"It has great precision and its bullets can cut through soft armour," he said. Songpol used to work at the Royal Thai Army's Ordnance Department.

-- The Nation 2010-06-04

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TEMPLE DEATHS

Relatives file police complaints

By The Nation

Group led by Pheu Thai MP accuses Abhisit, Suthep, Anupong of murder

BANGKOK: -- Relatives of the six people shot dead in Wat Pathum Wanaram on May 19 have filed police complaints accusing PM Abhisit Vejjajiva of premeditated murder.

Meanwhile, the head of the Erawan Centre confirmed 87 people died during last month's violent street clashes and denied the Pheu Thai Party's allegation that bodies had been buried to cover up the true figures.

Pheu Thai spokesperson Prompong Nopparit yesterday took the relatives to file murder charges against Abhisit, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, General Anupong Paochinda and high-ranking officials supervising the troops at the time. They also submitted video clips and photos taken in the temple.

Prompong urged the police not to forward these complaints to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), because it had made no progress on the protesters' deaths at Khok Wua intersection on April 10.

Police accepted the complaints along with the plaintiffs' testimonies and will submit them to their supervisors for further action.

One of the plaintiffs is Phayao Athart, mother of Kamonkate, a 25-year-old volunteer nurse who was killed during the riot. She said her daughter, who had been volunteering since she was in high school, had been asked to help demonstrators injured during last year's Songkran protests.

She said she had agreed to let her daughter help out this time, because she did not think there would be any harm. However, she started getting worried when she completely lost contact with Kamonkate on May 19, due to mobile-phone signals being cut off. Then rescue workers called to say her daughter was dead.

Phayao said news reports that Kamonkate had been shot only twice were not true, because autopsy results showed her body had sustained 10 gunshot wounds.

A soldier-turned-food-vendor and demonstrator, who identified himself only as Narongsak, said at 6pm on May 19 he was preparing food and water for fellow demonstrators inside the temple when he was shot four times in the leg, stomach and chest.

He said if it were not for a Buddha medallion he wore, the bullet to his chest might have killed him.

Narongsak said that as he crawled behind a 10-wheel lorry, he noticed many injured people - including a foreigner, who was later identified as a Belgian journalist.

He said people nearby provided him with first aid before sending him to Ramathibodi Hospital.

Narongsak's son, Saknarin, joined the demonstration with his father on May 16 and stayed in the temple to prepare food and water for demonstrators. In the evening of May 19, he saw five soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms and pink stickers on their helmets shooting into the temple compound from the Skytrain track.

He said he ran to the temple's wooded area for cover and emerged the next morning to see people gathered around the six shot dead.

Forensic Science Institute director Pornthip Rojanasunand yesterday said she would do her best to investigate the six dead bodies found in the temple and urged all sides to calm down. She said the investigation was difficult, because of the different groups slinging mud at each other.

Pornthip said the autopsy report found the bullets had come from higher ground. However, she said her inspection also found that some people were shot from below - such as the woman who had a bullet wound running from her waist to the base of her skull. It is suspected that victim may have been bending over or crouching at the time, prompting them to check the possible bullet direction.

Pornthip said she did not want to come to any conclusions until there was a thorough investigation of the scene and detailed autopsy results. So far, Pornthip's team has matched four victims to spots at the scene, while the other two remain unknown. Witnesses will be interviewed to determine this information later.

Erawan Centre chief Petchpong Kumjornkijjakarn said as of 9am yesterday morning, the number of deaths from all clashes stood at 87.

He said death certificates had been issued for all bodies, while the unnamed bodies with no known relatives were in the care of hospitals that had performed autopsies or with the rescue unit. Bodies can be transported only when authorised, so there was no cover-up.

Petchpong's comments came in response to comments by the Pheu Thai Party MP for Yasothon, Peerapan Palusuk, that at least 89 people were killed, and bodies were buried upcountry to cover up the true figure.

Meanwhile, the Mirror Foun-dation yesterday revealed it had received reports of 58 people missing during the clashes.

Of the 58 missing, 18 have been found, and only one of them was a red-shirt protester.

Most of those found apparently joined the protest, but because they were afraid of being arrested, they decided not to go home. Others contacted their relatives. Only two have been released on bail from Bangkok Remand Prison, the foundation said.

Of the 40 people still missing, 18 have been confirmed by personal documents to be involved with the red-shirt protest.

-- The Nation 2010-06-04

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Riding Motorcycles With No Helmets Main Cause Of Death In Thailand

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Riding-Motor...in-t371789.html

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Human Trafficking Getting Worse In Thailand's Fishing Industry

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Human-Traffi...nd-t371787.html

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Transport Minister Defends Khao Yai Road Expansion

The transport minister has given the green light for the controversial four-lane highway expansion leading towards Khao Yai National Park.

The Highways Department said it will create more greenery on both sides of the road to replace the lost trees but the local Greenpeace chapter has expressed opposition to the state project.

Following yesterday's land survey and assessment, Transport Minister Sophon Sarum has given the green light for the four-lane highway expansion project.

Sophon stated it is the Transport Ministry's responsibility to improve road conditions and the well-being of local communities. He said that it was the local community's request to expand the highway lanes in a 30-kilometer stretch but the Transport Ministry will only expand the first 10 kilometers since environmental issues must be taken into consideration.

Local residents have come out and defended the Transport Ministry's highway expansion project. Nonetheless, the plan to expand the highway to the 22nd kilometer, which is the entrance to Khao Yai National Park, will be put on hold indefinitely.

In regard to cutting down protected trees to pave the way for the road expansion, the Transport Ministry said the Highways Department had notified the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and no additional trees will be cut down.

The department said the 128 protected trees that were obstructing the lane expansion have been branded, numbered and moved to the 11th kilometer perimeter, affirming that the trees will not be planted at the residences of various politicians as originally reported.

Sophon insisted that the road expansion was necessary to alleviate traffic congestion and prevent accidents since there are about 7,000 to 8,000 cars traveling through this route everyday.

After the project is completed, the Highways Department plans to plant more trees and create greenery along both sides of the expanded highway which should not further damage the natural environment.

Earlier, during the transport minister's survey of the location, Greenpeace activists came to urge the Highways Department to terminate the project as it will have drastic effects on Khao Yai National Park's ecosystem.

Greenpeace activists said if the Highways Department continues with the project, Greenpeace will increase pressure by involving local residents and environmentalists across the country in protests.

Sophon stated that the area belongs to the local community and it was the community that requested the road expansion. The expansion starts at the 2nd kilometer and ends at the 10th kilometer. The project has been through the first two-kilometer stretch, leaving six more kilometers to be completed.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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UAE promises support to track down Thaksin

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has voiced its full support for Thailand in tracking down the self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra, promising that it will not allow the fugitive to use its soil as a base to launch political movements.

The assurance from the UAE was made during the 2nd ministerial meetings between the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts held in the UAE. Vice Foreign Minister Panich Wikitset revealed that the UAE foreign minister had vowed not to let the ex-premier Thaksin Shinnawatra provoke any political activities on the territory.

Thai and UAE officials are expected to hold another meeting to seek a conclusion on the extradition treaty. The date of the meeting is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the government of Montenegro, the country where Mr Thaksin is taking a refuge, has already accepted a formal approach from Thai officials to visit that country. However, a suitable date for the visit will be arranged after the new Montenegrin government has settled in.

-- NNT 2010-06-04

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Democrats may reallocate Cabinet seats: Chumpol

The Democrat Party may decide this afternoon to reallocate the Cabinet seats under the quotas of the other coalition parties in order to resolve the Bhum Jai Thai-Puea Pandin rift, Democrat MP Chumpol Kanchana said on Friday ahead of the crucal meeting of the main coalition party.

"Everything hinges on the outcome of the party's meeting but it is possible for the Democrats to get seats previously allocated to other coalition partners," he said.

Chumpol said the Cabinet line-up will be finalised by a collective decision of the main coalition party and not the prime minister alone.

The Democrat Party's executive board is scheduled to meet at noon before submitting its report on the Cabinet line-up for the debate by the combined meeting of party executives and MPs.

-- The Nation 2010-06-04

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Nutthawut Saikua brought to court to stand trail for alleged tapping of private phone line /visa @TAN Network

[Thaivisa News]

Riding Motorcycles With No Helmets Main Cause Of Death In Thailand: http://bit.ly/agkOcN

Human Trafficking Getting Worse In Thailand's Fishing Industry: http://bit.ly/9F3YFe

Thailand: Decision today on Puea Pandin: http://bit.ly/cUftji

Thailand: Snoh: Pracharaj not offered to join coalition: http://bit.ly/aoWauP

Families of 6 slain at Bangkok temple file homicide complaint against Thai PM, his deputy: http://bit.ly/atNtxn

Bangkok: Bullet that killed Seh Daeng was govt type: http://bit.ly/bx2ws2

Photo of armed man on CNN VDO on Siam th land of smiles page on FB: same man who is close 2 Chavalit? http://yfrog.com/5cudyfj /v @veen_NT

Thailand: Transport Minister Defends Khao Yai Road Expansion: http://bit.ly/coKuDX

A solar-powered tuk tuk costs 330,000 Baht each while a normal one costs 180,000 Baht. 20 already in use in resorts. /via @RichardBarrow

Puea Pandin Spokesman confirms that party's MP's will support PM whether or not they're ejected from coalition /via TAN

UAE promises support to track down Thaksin: http://bit.ly/ajtvbT

Thailand: Democrats may reallocate Cabinet seats: Chumpol: http://bit.ly/c4GfTw

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Senator to Clarify 25 Million Baht in His Account

Appointed Senator Ruengkrai Leekijwattana says he is prepared to explain how 25 million baht was transferred to his bank account after an allegation about the issue was published in a news magazine.

According to a recently published news article written by Panthep Puapongphan, spokesman of the People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD, a transaction of 25 million baht has been suspiciously transferred to a bank account belonging to Appointed Senator Ruengkrai Leekijwattana.

Ruengkrai has replied to the allegation, saying he is prepared to explain to the press how the money was transferred to his account after he sees the evidence on the accusation.

However, he has demanded that the PAD also submit its financial record for scrutiny.

The senator also pointed out that there are some errors in the published article and insisted he has acquired the money legally.

Ruengkrai also said he will not lodge a defamation lawsuit against Panthep, who is his acquaintance, because the issue can be easily clarified.

Meanwhile, a number of senators have made a request to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej to open an investigation into the allegation against Ruengkrai.

Prosopsuk said he is willing to consider the request, but all other elected officials, including the prime minister, MPs, and senators must also submit their financial records to ensure fairness.

At the same time, Panthep demanded an explanation from Ruengkrai about the 25 million baht that was transferred to his Bangkok Bank account on February 8 and where it came from.

The PAD spokesperson added the transaction was made before Ruengkrai's appearance at a red-shirt seminar on February 22.

Panthep also said the PAD is willing to submit its financial record for auditing.

The PAD spokesperson went on to say that if Ruengkrai fails to explain how he acquired the money, the issue will be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for possible indictment.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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Nutthawut Stands Trial for Phone Tapping

Red shirt leader Nutthawut Saikua was led by police commandos out of the Narasuan Border Police Camp in Hua Hin and brought to stand trial at the Criminal Court. He is being charged for illegally tapping a private phone line and releasing the audio clip on stage during a red shirt rally. Fellow red shirt leader Jatuporn Phrompan is also a defendent in the same case.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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Police hunting down four Central World arsonists

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Metropolitan Police Bureau is coordinating with police units nationwide to hunt down the four suspects charged for arson and theft at Central World.

The four unidentified suspects were recorded on CCTV cameras breaking windows at Central World in Bangkok on 19 May, robbing the mall before setting the building on fire. The tape was used as evidence for the issuance of arrest warrants.

The warrants have been distributed to police units nationwide to help tracking down the criminals. The police are now looking for more evidences to be used against at least 50 other accomplices believed to be involved in the crime.

-- NNT 2010-06-04

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BMA launches “No Bag No Baht” campaign to mark World Environment Day

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is launching a new campaign urging Bangkok people to use less plastic bags as a way to help lessen global warming.

The BMA is pulling together activities on the occasion of the World Environment Day, campaigning for the reduction in the use of plastic bags. The event, which will be organized on 5 June under the theme “Together We Can, No Bag No Baht”, will include tree planting along Ratchadamri Road, Ratchaprasong Road, and Wireless Road in downtown Bangkok in the morning. Activities in the afternoon will be held in front of the Chatuchak Market Office.

Under the “No Bag No Baht” campaign, shoppers will receive a 1-baht discount for every purchase of 100 baht if they refuse to take bags. The campaign will be piloted at Chatuchak Market.

To mark the World Environment Day, this year the BMA has signed an agreement with the government and private sectors to take on projects to cut down the use of plastic bags and garbage to help alleviate global warming.

-- NNT 2010-06-04

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[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Senator to Clarify 25 Million Baht in His Account: http://bit.ly/93qM5k

Thailand: Community Radio Station Shut Down: http://bit.ly/92RyAu

Thailand: Nutthawut Stands Trial for Phone Tapping: http://bit.ly/aPr0Q3

Thailand: Police hunting down four Central World arsonists: http://bit.ly/afuMYs

Thailand: BMA launches “No Bag No Baht” campaign to mark World Environment Day: http://bit.ly/918V6K

[webfact]

Thailand: Henri Dunant road closed Sat-Sun June 5-6 as walking street serving 700 vendors affected by protest to sell their goods /via MCOT

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Chemical Leak at Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate

A chemical leak at the 5th phase of the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate has caused an evacuation of the area. Workers affected by the fumes have been hospitalized.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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[Thaivisa News]

INN: Chart Thai Pattana hasn't discussed details of reshuffle with Democrats; Mathabhumi ready to join coalition /via TAN

Thailand: Koala Cub – New Magnet Of Chiang Mai Zoo: http://bit.ly/cJNgKc

Thailand: Henri Dunant road closed Sat-Sun June 5-6 as walking street serving 700 vendors affected by protest to sell their goods /via MCOT

Chemical Leak at Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate: http://bit.ly/9t9ezp

Thailand: US consular visit to Phuket: http://bit.ly/drnjUe

Golf: Pattaraphol leads at Laguna Phuket: http://bit.ly/cUuR4B

[webfact]

Japan's lower house votes in former finance minister Naoto Kan as PM, replacing Yukio Hatoyama who resigned for mishandling dispute over US base /via MCOT

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Democrats have taken ICT portfolio from Puea Pandin. Dem's Chaiwut Bannawat will b new ICT minister. /via @tulsathit

Thailand: Satit, who walked grimly out of Democrat meeting, also loses his PM's Office Minister post. /via @tulsathit

Pisanulok MP Juti Krairirk to be next Minister to PM's Office /via TAN

Thailand: Satit losing his job is confirmed. Juti Krai-irk is new PM Office minister (overseeing media) /via @tulsathit

Thailand: Pipit Intarasombat replaces Paitoon Kaewthong as labour minister.

Thailand: Ong-art Klampaiboon replaces Kalaya Soponpanich as science minister. /via @tulsathit

Chalermchai Sri-on replaces Theerak Salakpetch as culture minister. /via @tulsathit

Pls note: the reshuffle is the Democrat Party's exec board resolution. It will still have to be put forth to MPs meeting. /via @tulsathit

Is Foreign Media Welcomed in Thailand? http://bit.ly/aUXgOZ /via TAN

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Democrat executives vote for major Cabinet changes

By The Nation

The executive board of the Democrat Party has voted to recommend for a sweeping change in ministerial portfolios, pending the debate and approval by the combined meeting of party executives and MPs later this afternoon.

Of 19 party executives, including the prime minister, 16 cast their votes. Three were absent due to prior engagement. They are Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit and MP Sathit Pitudecha.

Under the executive board recommendations, the outgoing Democrat ministers are Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch, Labour Minister Phaithoon Khaeothong, Science Minister Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich and PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtaey.

Incoming Democrats to be allocated ministerial portfolios are Juti Krirerk, Chalermchai Sri-on, Nipit Intharasombat and Ong-art Klampaiboon.

Deputy Education Minister Chaiwut Bannawat is tipped to filled the position of Information and Technology Communication Minister, to vacated by Ranongluk Suwanchawee of Puea Pandin.

-- The Nation 2010-06-03

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Initial Result of Democrat Party Meeting

The Democrat Party has concluded its executive board meeting and a new Cabinet lineup can be seen.

Phatthalung MP Niphit Intharasombat is rumored to become the next Labor Minister. Bangkok MP Ongart Klampaiboon will sit in the Science and Technology Ministry.

Deputy leader of the Democrat Party Chaiwut Bannawat is to sit in the ICT Ministry and Chalermchai Sri-on will be given the culture porfolio.

Meanwhile, Deputy Party Leader Juti Krairirk will take over the post of Minister to the Prime Minister's Office.

The proposed lineup means that the Democrats have chosen to eject the Puea Pandin Party from the coalition.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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Former Coup Maker to Accepts Invitation to Join Cabinet

Former leader of the Council for National Security, responsible for staging a coup that ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, and leader of the Matubhum party General Sonthi Boonyaratglin says he's accepted the government's invitation to join the coalition government. He's declined to reveal what Cabinet portfolio he's been allotted by the coalition leader, Democrats party.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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Emergency rule might be lifted in Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Pathum Thani

Three provinces, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Pathum Thani, have reported the resumption of normalcy, paving way for the lifting of the state of emergency, Interior permanent secretarn Manit Wattanasen said on Friday.

Of the 24 provinces placed under emergency rule due to the red-shirt rally in Bangkok, the three might become the first batch to cancel the state of emergency, Manit said.

He said the review of the emergency rule would be conducted on a province-by-province basis.

He was speaking after a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul.

-- The Nation 2010-06-04

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Chemical Leak Under Control

A chemical leak at the 5th phase of the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate has been brought under control.

15 workers were injured in the leak. The leak is believed to have been caused by mishandling of one of the factory's equipments.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-04

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SET index closed at 771.48, up 5.52; Bt/USD32.18; GBP46.93; AUD26.92; EUR39.08; CAD30.67; HKD4.08; SGD22.80; JPY34.42

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Thailand: Motorcycle-riding robbers snatched money bags worth Bt12 Mln from KrungThai Bank (Nana),fled towards Sukhumvit /via TAN