Thailand Live Wednesday 9 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 9 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 8 June 2010

Thailand Live Tuesday 8 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Cabinet Scraps Khao Yai Road Expansion Plan

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet has agreed to scrap the Khao Yai road expansion project from the 10th to the 16th kilometer stretch. A committee will be set up to review the project and restore greenery around the national park.

Regarding the controversial four-lane road expansion leading to Khao Yai National Park, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that Cabinet ministers have agreed to suspend the already-commenced construction of the second to the tenth kilometer stretch and will axe a further expansion plan for kilometers ten to 16.

A committee will be set up to review the project while the Highways Department has been assigned to collaborate with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to devise a plan to rehabilitate the area around the national park.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will be reassessing the road expansion plan and the impact from cutting down protected trees while the Transport Ministry has been asked to closely monitor road construction projects in other areas to prevent more dispute.

The prime minister asserted the recent Cabinet reshuffle will strengthen the government's stability. He added that all parties in the government coalition are still subject to his nine iron rules.

Abhisit went on to say that investigations should continue into any non-transparent issues raised during the no-confidence debate.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban stated that there are currently no serious or critical issues that needed to be discussed with ruling coalition members as he constantly meets with them.

He also said the government is ready to implement the reconciliation plan and resolve the country's deep divide before considering a new election.

He assured there is also no rift within his Democrat Party among those replaced in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

-- Tan Network 200-06-08

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Ratchaprasong Businesses Want Prompt Action against Rioters

BANGKOK: -- Ratchaprasong business operators have urged the government to swiftly take action against those responsible for the riots last month so that confidence and morale can be restored to the country.

Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, or RSTA, President Chai Srivikorn proposed that the government quickly restore confidence in Thailand by showing more dedication to improving public safety and living conditions.

He also proposed that the government draft up a set of laws to prevent violent riots as well as a businesses-friendly reconciliation plan.

Meanwhile, earlier today, RSTA held a ceremony held to pay respect to six deities.

It was held to raise morale among business operators in the Ratchaprasong area in the wake of the political crisis and subsequent riots.

Chai said the business operators will launch promotional campaigns in a bid to attract shoppers to return to Ratchaprasong.

He added that regaining the confidence of customers may take time, but he expects the reopening of Central World department store will bring liveliness back to the shopping district.

Chai revealed that business operators will carry out landscape renovations and hold more sale events in a bid to bring the shopping district back to normal.

He urged the government to restore the confidence of domestic consumers, to uphold law and order, and to carry out a reconciliation plan alongside the private sector.

His association will push the government to issue the law to regulate mass rallies.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-09

[Maestro]

Red shirts 'fired temple shots'

By The Nation

Published on June 9, 2010

A key eyewitness has claimed that the shots that killed six people at Pathum Wanaram Temple during the red-shirt protest last month came from red-shirt guards, not soldiers, a Department of Special Investigation source said yesterday.

The unnamed witness saw two men gunned down from an unknown direction, and Katekamon Arhard, a nurse volunteer, was hit when she was trying to drag the two men into a tent for first aid, the source said.

Some guards, most armed with pistols and some with war weapons, openly told demonstrators that "it's dangerous outside, and anyone who leaves will die" in the evening of May 19 after the red-shirt leaders turned themselves in to authorities.

"Then there was a salvo of about 10-15 shots, likely from the red-shirt guards," said the witness, who will soon come under DSI protection.

The witness, frightened and distressed, hid in a monk's quarters until dawn. The witness' account appears to confirm autopsy reports that showed that all six victims were shot horizontally, not from an inclined angle from soldiers stationed on Skytrain tracks or skywalks, the source added.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

[Maestro]

Road expansion blocked

By The Nation

Published on June 9, 2010

The Cabinet yesterday suspended the controversial expansion of a road cutting through Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province for the remaining eight kilometres.

A joint investigation by the Transport Ministry, which had implemented the road-expansion project, and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, which regulates forest areas, will begin once an independent committee is set up.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would assign Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu to find members to serve on the panel, including officials of the Office of the National Environment Board.

Both ministries have been assigned to work out a joint plan to restore roadside areas that had been dredged to make way for the two-lane expansion of the two-lane, 23.7-kilometre Thanarat Road.

A further expansion from kilometre markers 10-16 has been suspended officially after work was almost completed from markers 2-8.

The Cabinet has also assigned both ministries to study legal obstacles or loopholes regarding similar problems for any future road-expansion projects, especially since it was very likely that large trees were felled under existing regulations.

Abhisit said the Transport Ministry would need to be more careful when it came to felling large trees, while the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry would need to readjust certain rules or impose environmental-impact assessments on other relevant government agencies.

Abhisit called a private meeting with Transport Minister Sophon Saram and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti in his office prior to the Cabinet meeting, in order to discuss undisclosed issues.

During the Cabinet meeting, an emotional Sophon said suspension of the Thanarat Road expansion project could affect a few other expansion projects elsewhere that were awaiting implementation.

He also criticised activists and others opposing the Thanarat Road expansion project, saying: "These people are residents of the capital who visit vacation homes in Khao Yai once a year, while people who need the wider road are local residents. A public hearing was conducted and approved by the locals, but people who never participated now come out to oppose the project."

Suwit is reported to have scarcely made any comments and did not respond directly to Sophon's remarks during the 40-minute discussion about the project at the Cabinet meeting, only citing his concern about the environmental impact.

After the Cabinet meeting, Suwit told a press interview he was considering seeking World Heritage Site status for areas around Khao Yai National Park, including around Thanarat Road, in order to impose stricter environment laws there.

He insisted his ministry would continue legal action against the Highways Department, who implemented the road expansion, for felling trees before getting ministry permission.

He said the Forestry Industry Organisation, which was hired by the Highways Department to cut down the trees and make use of them commercially, told him the trees were already cut down when FIO officials entered the project site.

Deputy Interior Minister and deputy Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Bunjong Wongtrairat said he did not think the Thanarat Road expansion project was part of an internal rift among the coalition, between his party and the Social Action Party, which Suwit leads.

"Neither was this matter a mistake by Sophon," a fellow Bhum Jai Thai member, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said the matter was not a big deal and should be mediated by the prime minister.

Greenpeace Thailand said the Highways Department's public hearing was carried out in only three hours' time, with the participants mostly government officials and community leaders supporting the project.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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School offers to take back 'arsonist' student

By The Nation

Mahidol Wittayanusorn School (MWITS) is ready to welcome back the 11th grader who burned down its library building, the school's academic adviser and its former director Thongchai Chewpreecha said yesterday.

Also, the MWITS would not file a civil case against him, he added. However, police would prosecute him on the criminal charge.

The Galya Rajanagarindra Institute is observing the boy's behaviour and mental health, which would take two weeks as his family and inquiry officials had requested.

The 16-year-old boy [whose identity is being withheld, because he is a minor] set fire to the building early on Sunday morning.

Thongchai said it was possible to allow him to study at the school again, however, that depended on his decision and that of his parents. Thongchai was concerned also about opposition from staff and parents.

School administrators will discuss the issue with his parents to examine how the events will influence the boy's educational future.

"We want people to see that this case was caused by personal pressure - but not as presented by the media who thought it was driven by the school's pressure, which is not true. I'm worried that [such a conclusion] would affect most students here," said Thongchai.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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Grenade attack on soldiers in Yala's Old Market

By Don Pathan

The Nation

Yala

Police and forensic officers investigating a scene of grenade attack Tuesday evening

YALA: -- Six people were injured Tuesday night when a grenade exploded on the main road in Yala's section of predominantly Malay Muslim residential area.

Authorities said two men riding pillion on a motorbike tossed a fragmentation grenade at a moving military vehicle. But the grenade failed to go off upon impact and bounced back on the road where it explode, injuring the six local residents.

The attack took place at about 19:30 hrs, which is one of the business time of the day when local residents stroll up and down the street's food stalls, restaurants and teashops in this neighbourhood where insurgent attacks are rare.

A senior government officials said authorities have been on high alert for fear of retaliation following the Monday assassination of Ustaz Mae, a prominent Muslim cleric in Yala's Banang Sata district believed to have been killed by government death squad.

Moreover on May 30, there was also the questionable death of a suspected militant, Sulaiman Naesa, who died in his detention cell eight days after he was taken to the Fourth Army Forward Command in Pattani where he was being questioned about insurgency activities in the region.

Yala is one of the three southernmost provinces that has come under a spate of attack since this wave of violence broke out in late 2001 but picked up the pace in 2004. More than 4,000 people have died since January 2004 in insurgency related incidents.

Most of the victims are ethnic Malays. Police blamed a shadowy militant network of separatists bent on carving out a separate homeland for the Malays in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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Protest by disabled vendors dispersed

By The Nation

A protesting group of 200 disabled lottery vendors - including a number of blind sellers - gathering yesterday near the Government House were dispersed by police under the state of emergency, although their demonstration was peaceful.

The vendors were demanding the government allocate to them a greater number of lottery tickets.

Some vendors and protest leaders jumped into a canal near the protest site not far from Chamai Maruchet Bridge, as they had earlier threatened, when police charged in to arrest their leaders.

All were later rescued. Police arrested 23 protest leaders, all of whom have already been released.

The protest leaders said they staged the protest after they were promised a meeting on Monday with Finance Ministry officials to discuss their demands, but no senior officials showed up.

They gathered outside the Government House again yesterday to meet Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pattharaprasit, but he did appear after they had waited for hours until the Cabinet meeting was over.

Pradit later made a phone call asking the vendors to meet him at the ministry but they would not comply. Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha also failed to see them as they had demanded.

The vendors had earlier said they were considering joining any future protest to be organised by anti-government red shirts if their demands for more lottery tickets were not met.

They said the ticket quotas were not fairly distributed to small-time vendors, and accused the government of keeping a large number of lottery tickets for influential agents with connections to government figures.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Cabinet Scraps Khao Yai Road Expansion Plan

Bangkok: Ratchaprasong Businesses Want Prompt Action against Rioters

Thailand: Red shirts fired temple shots

Thailand: Grenade attack on soldiers in Yala's Old Market

Bangkok: Protest by disabled vendors dispersed

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[Thaivisa News]

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Foreigners To Retain Thailand Investments Despite Recent Riots

Foreigners To Retain Thailand Investments Despite Recent Riots - Thailand Forum

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Metropolitan Police Preparing to Fight World Cup Gambling

BANGKOK: -- The metropolitan police have organized instructional sessions for all of its personnel to prepare them to deal with gambling activities that may emerge during the upcoming World Cup tournament, emphasizing tackling internet betting and threatening harsh punishments for officers engaged in the crime.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau today held instructional sessions for task forces to be launched against gambling tied to the upcoming World Cup to take place in South Africa.

The session focused on educating officers on how to combat online gambling activities.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chaiyanon said that the nature of gambling has changed greatly with the availability of the internet.

He stated that police must keep abreast of the techniques used by bookies and that authorities have identified two to three key betting websites and their networks.

Police will work with the Information and Communication Technology Ministry to shut down websites providing gambling services.

Police Lieutenant General Santhan noted that any police personnel found involved in gambling themselves would be severely punished and charged.

The metropolitan police have set up a center against gambling specifically to coincide with the World Cup 2010. Citizens are urged to relay any information on gambling activities to the center at 02-354-5933.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-09

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Provinces Brace for World Cup Fever

Police in Uthai Thani and Yala have launched measures against football betting in their areas. Meanwhile, World Cup fever is helping spur business activities in Si Sa Ket and Phitsanulok.

Staff of the Thailand Post in Phitsanulok decorated their office with the national flags of the 32 World Coup finalists and put up a giant postcard to promote its campaign on having people guess the right 2010 World Cup winner through postcards for rewards.

Chief of Phitsanulok post office, Suthep Mongkolrut, revealed the Thailand Post will be launching stamps of Zakumi, the mascot of the tournament.

It has also ordered the original stamps of Zakumi from South Africa for distribution between June 11 and July 11.

In Si Sa Ket, home appliance shops are also decorated with flags of the Word Cup finalists as part of their premonition on the sale of television sets, of which prices have been discounted by 10 percent on average. The upcoming tournament has helped to stimulate the sale of television sets in the province to 100 a day.

Meanwhile, Uthai Thani police have set up an anti-football gambling center and kept a close watch on the moves of blacklisted bookies and punters during this period.

Police stations in the province have also been assigned to inspect entertainment venues and educational institutions for football betting rings.

In Yala, Muang police station dispatched its public relations unit to raise awareness among students against football gambling.

Related agencies in the area also coordinated to form a team of student inspectors to prevent gambling on World Cup results.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-09

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PM testifies in court against Jatuporn

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva testified to the Pheu Thai Party MP Jatuporn Promphan in a defamation case Wednesday morning.

The prime minister arrived at the criminal for the court hearing at 9 am.

He sued Jatuporn for saying that he had improperly behaved during an audience with His Majesty the King.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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Emergency Decree still needed to curb UDD

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister overseeing Security Affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban, has stressed the necessity of the state of emergency's continuation to prevent movements of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Suthep expressed concern over potential movements of the UDD group near the end of this year. He said the government must retain the state of emergency to clear security affairs problems and prevent unrest in the country.

The deputy prime minister added that the government must move forward with its reconciliation roadmap of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in a concrete manner if the nation wishes to return to total normalcy.

Mr Suthep shrugged off a lawsuit filed by UDD Deputy Chairperson, Jatuporn Prompan, against the prime minister and his cabinet. He said he had confidence in the judiciary system.

The deputy prime minister also asserted that the international community would understand the operation of the Thai government. Nonetheless, as for Brunei, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would give special clarification because the country is Thailand's closer relations.

Brunei has recently allowed ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to travel to and from the country.

-- NNT 2010-06-09

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Foreigners to retain investments despite recent riots: Foreigners To Retain Thailand Investments Despite Recent Riots - Thailand Forum

Former PM Anand Panyarachun sits down with TAN Network for a one hour English special, tonight at 6 P.M. www.tannetwork.tv /via TAN

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Authorities Inspecting Most Recent Gas Leak at Map Ta Phut

After nearly 300 people have been hospitalized following another gas leak inside in Map Ta Phut industrial estate, investigators are in search of the cause to prevent future accidents.

An inquiry official, Police Lieutenant Colonel Boonyok Chaiwong, along with related officials, inspected a tank of sodium hypochlorite in the Eastern Hemaraj or Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate or in the eastern province of Rayong, after a gas leak on Monday June 7th sent nearly 300 victims to nearby hospitals.

After examining the scene, authorities said they will question the tank owner, Aditya Birla Chemicals company, and other related firms before indicting them.

Weerasak Phuemphaengphan, an industrial estate executive, rushed to the scene to scrutinize the incident. The executive vows to have experts conduct a detailed study by using footage from security cameras.

As many as 82 out of about 300 victims are now under medical supervision. Two victims are said to be in critical condition, with low levels of blood oxygen.

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has ordered the suspension of all production lines at the plant pending results of the investigation into the cause of the accident.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-09

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Abhisit orders police investigate dispersal of blind protesters at Government House

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday that he had instructed the Royal Thai Police to investigate police's dispersal of blind protesters at the Government House on Tuesday.

Abhisit said that when he heard about the arrest of the protesters, which prompted some to fall into the canal, he ordered an investigtion.

He said police should have dealt with the blind protesters with leniency.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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Thaksin agrees with reconciliation roadmap

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has voiced agreement with the reconciliation roadmap of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, according to his legal advisor and former Foreign Minister, Noppadon Pattama.

Mr Noppadon voiced agreement with the reconciliation roadmap on behalf of his boss, but suggested that a peace talk must also be held. He said all conflicting sides and experts must be invited to discuss and find solutions for the problem.

The ex-minister added that ratification should thus be made, and he is of the opinion that there must be some non-government figures to help coordinate, likely the senate, some academics with known neutrality, or former prime ministers.

Former Attorney-General, Kanit Na Nakorn, was appointed to lead the independent fact-finding panel for the recent political unrest investigation, while National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) President, Prof Dr Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, was named the chair for charter study.

Mr Noppadon deemed the appointment inappropriate and reasoned that the two thus far had been pro-Democrat. He noted that reconciliation would be fostered if all sides could accept the persons appointed for these tasks.

-- NNT 2010-06-09

[Thaivisa News]

Authorities Inspecting Most Recent Gas Leak at Map Ta Phut

Twitter to Change Links and How They Are Displayed: Twitter to Change Links and How They Are Displayed [uPDATED] /via @veen_NT @lekashina

Thailand: PM Abhisit orders police investigate dispersal of blind protesters at Government House

Thaksin has been telling his 100,000 + followers about his loyalty to the king and slamming Anupong on many issues. /via @tulsathit

Thailand: Thaksin agrees with reconciliation roadmap

Thavisa member: "Loxley building in Klong Toey is being evacuated and is surround by police. Not sure what's happening. I'm down the street"

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British Red-Shirt Supporter Once Worked in Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace Office has admitted that a British citizen arrested during the political unrest once worked at the palace.

The AFP News Agency has reported that the Buckingham Palace Office has issued an announcement, saying that 49-year-old Jeff Savage, a British red-shirt supporter arrested during the recent political riot was an employee at the palace between 1993 and 1998. No further details regarding Savage's employment were given.

Savage was arrested for violating the emergency decree, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of a two-year jail term.

The British expatriate was seen on video footage, accurately threatening the arson attack and looting at Central World Plaza, Asia's second largest mall.

At the same time, Britain's Daily Mail Newspaper has reported that Savage worked for the event organising team at the palace.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the United Kingdom's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-09

Related topic: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/British-Thai-Rioter-Used-To-t372974.html

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Court extends Veera, Weng, Korkaew's detention for another week

The Criminal Court Wednesday approved the request of police to extend the detention of three red-shirt leaders for the third time by another week.

The court allowed the Crime Suppression Division to detain Veera Musigapong, weng Tojirakarn and Korkaew Pikulthong seven more days form June 10 to 16.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

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Aquino named Philippines president /via cnni

[Thaivisa News]

British Red-Shirt Supporter Once Worked in Buckingham Palace

Thailand: Court extends Veera, Weng, Korkaew's detention for another week

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SET index closed at 764.21, up 6.80; Bt/USD32.21; GBP46.47; AUD26.33; EUR38.45; CAD30.48; HKD4.08; SGD22.63; JPY34.91

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The Cheap Euro Equals Cheap European Holidays - Doesn't It?

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The Cheap Euro Equals Cheap European Holidays - Doesn't It? - Thailand Forum

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Three foreign gang suspects arrested in Krabi for theft of Bt12 million cash from car in Bangkok; only Bt200,000 remains /via MCOTEnglishnews

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Thaksin lashes out at Anupong

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra Wednesday attacked the military for cracking down on the red shirts although his legal adviser Noppadon Patama suggested for a peace talk by all sides as an equal and without the government's domination.

In his Twitter message, Thaksin lashed out at Army chief Anupong Paochinda for serving Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and causing much bloodshed.

"Just take good care of yourself before retirement by saving the money earned from the plight of the reds," he said, insinuating about Anupong's monetary rewards gained by crushing the red shirts.

He was critical of Anupong for turning his back on two administrations under Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat and choosing to back the Abhisit government.

Anupong tried to make up a shallow excuse for not dealing with the yellow shirts by saying Samak and Somchai did not involve the soldiers in the crowd control even though he was fully in charge of the then state of emergency, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-09

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Court extends Veera, Weng, Korkaew's detention for another week

The Cheap Euro Equals Cheap European Holidays - Doesn't It? Thais flock to Europe: The Cheap Euro Equals Cheap European Holidays - Doesn't It? - Thailand Forum

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[Thaivisa News]

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Thaksin lashes out at Anupong