Thailand Live Saturday 12 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Saturday 12 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Friday 11 June 2010

Thailand Live Friday 11 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Head of Thai protest probe says won't assign blame

BANGKOK (AFP) - The head of a government-commissioned probe into deaths during Thailand's "Red Shirt" street protests on Friday promised an unbiased investigation but said his aim was not to establish responsibility.

"I am always impartial," said Kanit Nanakorn, a former attorney general asked by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to lead an independent inquiry into the loss of 90 lives after clashes between armed troops and demonstrators.

He said, however, that the probe "is not aimed at finding who should be held responsible and to punish, but to establish the facts and educate Thai society."

Kanit also refused to set a timeframe for finishing the investigation, saying it might not be completed by the next election, due by the end of 2011 at the latest.

The main opposition party has said Kanit is too close to the government, warning of a likely "whitewash".

The Reds' rally, broken up on May 19 in an army crackdown on their vast camp in the heart of Bangkok, sparked outbreaks of violence that also left nearly 1,900 people injured.

The government has defended the use of armed troops, saying they were only authorised to fire live ammunition as warning shots, in self-defence or against "terrorists" whom it has accused of inciting the unrest.

Abhisit has said he wants somebody who is sympathetic to the Red Shirts in the panel to make sure all sides can be confident of its neutrality.

Kanit, 73, headed a probe into alleged extrajudicial killings of 2,500 people during a war on drugs under ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is idolised by many Red Shirts.

He said he had not yet selected the other members of the commission for the latest investigation, but would try to include "every colour" if possible, referring to Thailand's different political factions.

Kanit said he planned to visit some of the detained Red Shirt leaders next Monday at a military barracks south of the Thai capital.

In addition to the 90 deaths, a local Red Shirt leader was shot and killed in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province late Wednesday, police spokesman Colonel Saharat Prasonnijkit said, adding that the motive was unclear.

Abhisit told reporters Friday the government had no involvement in the shooting.

"I have given clear instructions for no violence from the government side," he told reporters.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-12

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Extended detention of Red News editor rejected

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Criminal Court has turned down the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation’s (CRES) request to extend the detention of anti-government activist Somyot Prueksakasemsuk.

The court ruled not to extend the detention of Mr Somyot as requested by the CRES, reasoning that the extension would be unjustifiable as the situation had returned to normalcy and acts of violence no longer existed. The CRES is required to release the detainee on the expiration date of his custody.

The court earlier approved the prolongation of Mr Somyot’s detention for seven days until 13 June 2010.

Mr Somyot, editor of the Red News magazine and core figure of the 24 June Group, along with Mr Suthachai Yimprasert, lecturer of Chulalongkorn University, last month turned themselves in to the authorities on the charge of violating the Emergency Decree. The two were detained at Adisorn military camp in Saraburi province. Mr Suthachai was later released.

-- NNT 2010-06-12

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Chat Thai Pattana Backs PM's Peace Plan

BANGKOK: -- Coalition partner Chat Thai Pattana Party has expressed support to the reconciliation plan proposed by the prime minister but advises him to be open-minded and hear out suggestions from various parties.

Spokesperson of Chat Thai Pattana Party, Watchara Kanikar, said all parties should participate in the efforts to push for national reconciliation and reform.

Wathara then called on the prime minister to listen to suggestions from other related parties as they may have different viewpoints on the terms of the five-point peace plan.

He also asked chairman of the independent panel tasked with investigating the recent political unrest, Kanit Na Nakorn, to show his impartiality.

He explained that there are still concerns if the committee will be impartial in its probe into truths behind the recent political violence.

Commenting on the planned constitution amendment, the spokesperson said the Chat Thai Pattana party is directly involved in the matter.

He asked the premier to take into consideration inputs made by political parties.

He also suggested a subpanel be formed to take charge of collecting responses to the points made about the planned charter amendment.

Meanwhile, Democrat leader's personal spokesperson Thepthai Senapong said all segments in the society approve of the prime minister's reconciliation plan.

Thepthai decribed the disapproval from the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt group as unreasonable.

He alleged if the peace plan is proven to be successful, both the red-shirt group and the Pheu Thai Party would be cut off from their lifeline sustained by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

He also denied the government's alleged involvement in the death of a local red-shirt leader in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Thepthai insisted the revival of the investigation into dubious extra judicial killings that took place during the war on drugs by the Thaksin administration is not an attempt to discredit the ousted premier.

He insisted the revival of the campaign is aimed at finding truths behind those killings.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-12

[Maestro]

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

A holiday with a difference

By PHILIPPA SHORT

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

Published on June 12, 2010

This vacation you can help Phang Nga’s Beluga School for Life turn tsunami orphans into community entrepreneurs

And, if you’ve never heard a blackbird snort like a pig, the Beluga School can fill that gap in your life.

This was the first of many unexpected discoveries I made during a stay in one of the guest bungalows set up in part to help fund the privately run school and orphanage.

They also serve the school’s Hotel Training Institute.

Beluga was established in 2005 to care for children orphaned by the tsunami. Once the news media lost interest and much of the rebuilding had been completed, Beluga remained a fixture, educating the youngsters from impoverished backgrounds and employing more than 80 people from the area.

It’s providing communities in Phang Nga with real and sustainable novel prospects.

Beluga has become an orphanage, school, nursery, training institute and charity travel resort thanks to an alliance between German shipping magnate Niels Stolberg and educator Jurgen Zimmer.

“We are fighting poverty using what I term ‘Buddhist economics’, where entrepreneurship and social responsibility are combined,” Zimmer says.

Beluga Shipping Co is currently covering costs, but director and project manager Jorg Thiemann expects the facility to become financially independent within 10 years. Future plans include an organic farm, a well to provide all water, a community co-op shop and a cultural village.

Bringing in guests was a way to help the project become self-sustaining. It might be “charity tourism”, but the attractive bungalows have everything you’d expect from a good-standard hotel – large, comfortable bed, air-con, TV, mini-bar, fridge, desk, wardrobe, a spacious bathroom with outdoor and indoor showers and a private terrace.

I stayed in the pretty pee-sua (butterfly) room. The children have named each cabin and decorated the exterior with colourful hand-painted pictures.

There are 18 bungalows, a restaurant where you can dine on Chef Na’s delicate cuisine, a pristine pool, a spa and a bakery. Make sure you indulge in Chef Ae’s chocolate mousse cake when you visit.

Guests are encouraged to visit the school, and there are plenty of other activities that strengthen links with the local community and give a brief insight into Thai culture. These include a short introduction to the language, traditional-dance workshops, cooking classes, jungle tours, visiting residents of Na Nai, the nearby village, and a trip to the local temple.

The nearest beach, Poseidon, on a quiet, sandy bay, is about 10 kilometres away. The larger bays of Bang Niang and Nang Thong, with spectacular sunsets over the sea, are a 30-minute drive.

When I visited, work had just began on the newly purchased land for the organic farm.

Led by biologist Channiwat Treesri, the staff will eventually grow all the vegetables needed at the school and guests’ restaurant and will include a chicken-pig-and-fish farm.

This is no mean feat, since the school uses 600 kilos of fish each month. Surplus vegetables will be sold at the local market The project is bedecked with examples of entrepreneurial sustainability, often proposed by the children themselves. An onsite hairdresser – their idea – has solved the problem (and saved the cost) of taking 150 youngsters into town to get a trim.

Emma, a psychiatric nurse who previously ran a centre for children traumatised by the tsunami, is the “family” manager at Beluga, known to her dozens of young charges and other admirers as Supermom.

“Most of the children have no social skills when they arrive here,” she says. “They don’t know how to talk, how to cross the road, how to use soap or a toothbrush. It’s not an easy job, and at first it was very difficult, but it’s hugely rewarding when a child who at first didn’t want to stay now happily calls this home.”

Visiting Beluga is about feeling good and having fun while doing something completely different on your holiday – and learning new things, although I never did find out the name of that bird!

IF YOU GO

Beluga is a 45minute drive from Phuket Airport.

A twonight stay costs Bt8,000 for two people sharing.

Nearby are spectacular waterfalls, night markets and the beaches of Khao Lak.

Find out more at www.CharityTravelThailand.com.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

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Amnesty likely for red shirts on minor offences

By The Nation

The Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is considering a plan to give amnesty to redshirt demonstrators charged with minor offences, an informed source said yesterday.

The source said the demonstrators might be exempted from punishment if they were not facing terrorism charges.

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has already been instructed to look into the legal context," the source said.

According to the source, the CRES wants to pass special laws in a bid to grant amnesty to demonstrators facing just minor offences.

"Those facing terrorism charges will not enjoy amnesty, though," the source added. Not more than 50 have been charged with terrorism. Of them, 20 have already turned themselves in to police.

The same source said the CRES also wanted the DSI to make sure that immunity be granted to all officials carrying out operations relating to the redshirt rally.

Although the state of emergency decree has been in place, the law has extended legal protection to just some officials only.

The source added that the military insisted that the decree could not be lifted because red shirts had continued their political activities in various areas.

"The military is concerned that any rush to lift the decree may result in the failure to control the situation," the source said.

The source added that the CRES was planning to distribute VCD showing its operations and the May 19 incidents so as to give facts to the public.

In response to Jatuporn Promphan's claim that the government was responsible for the death of a redshirt guard, Sakkarit Kongkaew, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Jatuporn had always passed the blame to the government.

"Police will investigate this case. Absolutely, the government is not involved in the killing," Suthep said.

In Chon Buri, police are also busy investigating the death of Sawat Duangmanee, a 60yearold redshirt guard.

Sawat's body was found on June 10. His hands were tied and he was clearly suffocated by a chequered piece of cloth around his neck.

"We suspect that he might have been killed elsewhere. His killers might have dumped his body here to avoid being nailed down," Bo Thong police station superintendent Colonel Pakorn Maneepakorn said.

In Ubon Ratchathani, police yesterday arrested two more suspects for torching the provincial hall. To date, 60 out of 78 suspects have been nabbed in response to arrest warrants.

In a related development, the Criminal Court yesterday turned down a CRES request to detain Somyos Preuksakasemsuk - editor of Red News - for seven more days.

Somyos is a prominent red shirt. He has been detained for nearly two weeks already.

The court did not allow the CRES to detain Somyos for seven more days, because reasons cited in the request were exactly those cited two weeks ago.

The court said unrest had now stopped and thus it was not necessary to keep Somyos in detention any longer.

Somyos will thus be released from detention tomorrow.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

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INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

CNN, BBC correspondents defend coverage

Thailand-Based CNN, BBC Correspondents Defend Red-Shirts Coverage - Thailand Forum

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Matubhum to contest next election

By Panya Thiewsangwal

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has voiced readiness to help advance democracy by contesting the next general election in his present capacity as the leader of Matubhum Party.

Sonthi also backed the government's road map for reconciliation, saying he saw it as the key to overcome the social divisions.

"The fostering of national reconciliation is nececessary under the circumstances because the situation can only be solved through talks, in which each side is willing to be flexible for the country's sake," he said yesterday.

He said he was concerned about the persisting volatility of the political situation because of deep-rooted differences and social disparity which could be exploited to inflame the situation.

The volatility is expected to dissipate if the government succeeds to rally the people to join the reconciliation process, he said.

Commenting on Thaksin Shinawatra, whom he ousted from power in 2006, he said the reconciliation would hinge on the concerted efforts of parties concerned rather than on a single individual.

He conceded, however, that Thaksin had a vital role to play in mending fences.

Sonthi also urged the government to shelve its plan to reopen the investigation into more than 1,200 silence killings related to the war on drugs under the Thaksin administration. He argued that this might be wrong timing.

Regarding the red-shirt movement, he said a repeat of the unrest or a resumption of protests could be prevented if the authorities strictly enforce the law.

Under the prevailing sentiment, the red shirts could not muster the public support to build an underground movement, he said.

Turning to his party work, he said the ties between Matubhum and Puea Pandin were already close and that he would welcome Puea Pandin MPs if they wanted to adopt his party's banner for their re-election bids.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

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ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PM: Govt will reach out

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit tells visiting journalists next election will depend on progress in reconciliation - Premier hopes to convince ordinary red shirts, but their leaders seen as inflexible

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday vowed to reach out to "ordinary people" in the red-shirt movement and seek their cooperation for reconciliation but admitted it would be difficult to persuade their hardcore leaders to support the plan.

Interviewed by a group of senior Asian journalists visiting Government House in a forum organised by the Asia News Network, Abhisit closely linked progress in reconciliation to the timing of the next election. He expressed surprise at recent news reports playing up his remark that an election early next year was a possibility.

Abhisit insisted his stance on the election remained unchanged, saying it could only be held when it could "help" provide solutions to the political crisis, not when election campaigning would aggravate the deep divide or renew violence.

Treading a sensitive line, Abhisit yesterday apparently stepped up his search for chairman of the main reconciliation panel with a private, unannounced visit to former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, the leading candidate to head the committee.

Abhisit was tight-lipped about whether he had Anand in mind, saying only that he would like the issue of who would be chairman to be an initiative of the public, not of the government.

"I've been meeting with Anand regularly, because he's been doing some work with the government," the prime minister said.

Abhisit said he expected a public nomination of the reconciliation chairman next Thursday and would not mind if the public preferred someone else to head the crucial panel other than Anand or the second choice, Prawase Wasi.

During their interviews with Abhisit and later Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, the Asia News Network journalists were interested in the reconciliation road map in particular, with some questions focused on potential obstacles.

Abhisit admitted that acrimonious issues being investigated now or in the future could constitute big bumps in the road. But he expressed hope that efforts to reach out to ordinary red shirts could allow reconciliation planners to understand genuine problems and separate them from political ones that concerned top movement leaders, including ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Those red-shirt leaders "tend to reject every proposal made by the government", Abhisit said.

Korn assured the visiting journalists about the Thai economy's flexibility and ability to absorb massive damage and lost opportunities resulting from the political turbulence of the past two months.

However, both the PM and Korn admitted that tourism, sent reeling by the crisis, was the industry of utmost concern.

Responding to a question about how to restore shattered foreign-investor confidence in Thailand, Korn said trust had to "come from within".

If Thais are confident in their own country's stability, foreign confidence will surely follow, the finance minister said, admitting that such domestic confidence still needed strengthening.

Abhisit also downplayed reports that Kanit na Nakorn, who has been named to lead an independent probe into the recent political bloodshed, has approached some red-shirt leaders as potential panel members.

"We have guaranteed the independence of the fact-finding committee and welcome contributions by anyone to the probe," the prime minister said.

During the Asia News Network interview, Abhisit was asked by a Cambodian journalist about diplomatic problems between Bangkok and Phnom Penh involving Thaksin and the Preah Vihear Temple.

The prime minister said high-ranking authorities of both countries were working closely to ensure border violence did not flare up.

Asked when bilateral ties would be normalised, Abhisit said that could happen once Cambodia understood the Thai political system was workable and fair.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

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Filipino murder suspect nabbed in Thailand’s Chon Buri

BANGKOK (TNA) -- A Filipino murder suspect wanted by the Philippine police has been detained in Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri, according to immigration police.

Jose Samiento Panlilio, listed in Philippine court and Interpol arrest warrants on charges of murder in conjunction with other persons, was apprehended in Chon Buri provincial seat.

The detention followed the complaint by Amenzita De Castro, who petitioned Thailand's immigration police to help track and arrest Mr Panlilio for his alleged role in killing her two sons and stealing 250,000 Philippine pesos (over Bt1 million or US$31,000) on July 15, 2003. He subsequently fled to Thailand.

Initially, the murder suspect denied charges but said he will only testify in court.

A preliminary investigation found that Mr Panlilio and the two dead men had a close relationship and jointly ran an automobile sales business. Mr Panlilio allegedly lured the duo to pay for a pawned car, then killed both of them by shooting with a 9mm handgun and stole their money.

Thai police will deport Mr Panlilio to stand trial in the Philippines.

Mrs De Castro, the victims’ mother and also a well-known Filipino lawyer, thanked Thai police for the arrest of the suspected murderer.

Thai immigration police will be rewarded five million Philippine pesos (over Bt3.5 million or $100,000) as earlier annonuced by the Philippines’ police and the victims’ mother. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-12

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Unregistered Vendors Take over Stalls at Silom Walking Street

The Bangrak district chief has filed a complaint with the police after unregistered vendors take over the stalls of registered ones at the Silom Walking Street.

Negotiations with them to leave the area have not been fruitful and the commotion has caused severe traffic congestion on nearby roads.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-12

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Thaivisanews: Avoid the Rama4 road around Saladaeng. Heavy traffic due to silom shopping walking street this weekend.

[Thaivisa News]

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Thailand: Amnesty likely for red shirts on minor offences

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Thailand Live Saturday 12 Jun 2010

Thailand: Matubhum to contest next election

[Thaivisa News]

PM Abhisit: Govt will reach out

World Cup 2010 South Africa - News and Results: World Cup 2010 South Africa - Thailand Forum

Head of Thai protest probe says won't assign blame

Extended detention of Red News editor rejected

Thailand: A holiday with a difference

Filipino murder suspect nabbed in Thailand's Chon Buri

Avoid the Rama4 road around Saladaeng. Heavy traffic due to silom shopping walking street this weekend.

Bangkok: Unregistered Vendors Take over Stalls at Silom Walking Street

Bangrak district chief file complaint wth police on unregistered vendors taking up space of registered ones at the Silom Walking Street /TAN

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Unregistered vendors reported at Silom Grand Sale

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Silom walking street set up this morning was in disarray as more than 500 unregistered shop vendors seized the space reserved for registrants.

The unauthorized vendors refused to move their shops although Director of Bang Rak district Surakiat Limcharoen had tried to negotiate with them. They claimed that they had come in peace and deserved to have a space.

As a result, the registered vendors were left without a selling space and had to park their vehicles around Sala Daeng Intersection, causing heavy traffic congestion on Rama IV Road. Mr Surakiat has instructed the police to help mitigate the problem.

Held for the second time on Silom Road, the “Together We Can Grand Sale” event is organized to assist business operators troubled by the recent rallies and suffering from losses of assets. Public spaces are allocated by the government to registered vendors to help them release products remaining in stock at special prices.

-- NNT 2010-06-12

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok: Unregistered vendors reported at Silom Grand Sale

Thai ICT Ministry bets it can reduce World Cup gambling: Thai ICT Ministry bets it can reduce World Cup gambling - Thailand Forum

Video leaked last month of the 2007 US airstrikes on Iraqi civilians & reuters news staff:

/via @thai101

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Taiwanese man arrested for allegedly luring Chinese to transfer him money

A Taiwanese man was arrested Saturday for allegedly being member of a gang to lure Chinese people to wire them money.

Acting on tip-off, tourist police arrested Lieo Min Ching, 43, while was drawing money from an ATM machine on Soi Sukhumvit 7.

Police found 53 ATM cards with him.

Police searched his room at the World Inn Hotel and found 61 more ATM cards.

Police also found a bank account with Bt1.127 million at his room.

Tourist Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Adisorn Ngarmjitsuksri said the man was an alleged member of the so-called Call Center gang in Taiwan, which lured Chinese people on the main land to transfer them money and travelled to Thailand to withdraw the cash.

-- The Nation 2010-06-

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Some 500 registered vendors stolen of stalls at Silom Shopping streets

BANGKOK: -- About 500 vendors, who have registered for the Together We Can Grand Sale on Silom Road, could not sell goods Saturday morning as their stalls have been taken by force by unregistered vendors.

Surakiart Limcharoen, the director of Bang Rak District, said some 500 vendors had no stall to sell their goods as they turned up to see their stalls already occupied.

Surakiart said city officials closed the Silom Road at 11 pm Friday to set up some 2,000 stalls for some 2,000 registered vendors to sell in the morning.

But when the registered vendors arrived the non-registered ones took up their stalls.

Surakiart said the unregistered vendors refused to give up the stalls.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Thaya Teepasuwan said she had Surakiart file complaints with police against the unregistered vendors.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

[Thaivisa News]

Thailand: Revenue collection higher than targeted in May: Revenue collection higher than targeted in May

AFP: Amnesty calls on Thai PM for fair protest probe

AFP: "Independence is of paramount importance to any investigation’s credibility," wrote Amnesty's acting secretary general Claudio Cordone

AFP: "The investigation must also be impartial, including alleged human rights abuses by both sides."

BMA extends Silom walking street; closes Narathiwat Road 4 1km for 300 reg vendors whose spaces taken by unreg vendors /v MCOT

Bangkok: Taiwanese man arrested for allegedly luring Chinese to transfer him money

Bangkok: Some 500 registered vendors stolen of stalls at Silom Shopping streets

[Thaivisa News]

(15.00) Some un-registered retailers R allowed 2 use available space bt police tried 2 move them out frm main retail area, Silom /v @veen_NT

Photo of the negotiation scene between BMA police and vendors by Nation Photo: Incompatible Browser | Facebook /via @veen_NT

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Unregistered Vendors Agree to Leave Silom

After the chaos with unregistered vendors taking over stalls at the Silom Walking Street, at around 1 p.m. they've agreed to leave the stalls to make way for registered vendors.

This comes from negotiations brokered by the police.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-12

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Conflict Reported in Democrat Party

Reports have come out of a rift within the ruling Democrat Party, with many said to be upset by the recent Cabinet reshuffle and contemplating defecting to join the Opposition Pheu Thai Party.

Sources within the party said the vote for the passage of the 2011 Budget Bill may see some Democrat Party vote against the bill.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-12

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DSI to Study Amnesty for Red-shirts

The Department of Special Investigations (DSI), which oversees cases concerning the red-shirt rally, will be setting up a committee to look into amnesty for the red-shirt group.

This comes at the request of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), citing the need for reconciliation in the country.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-12

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SOUTH CRISIS

A man shot dead and another seriously wounded in Pattani

PATTANI: -- Violence continued on Saturday in Pattani province where a man was gunned down while another in critical condition.

The first attack took place around midnight. Police were alerted that Arong Wae-ali, 41, was shot twice in Tambon Sabarang, Muang district.

Arong was rushed to a hospital nearby and was still in serious condition.

Initial police investigation showed that the man was riding home on Makrut Road when two men on a motorcycle followed and shot at him.

Meanwhile in Yarang district, two men on a motorcycle shot Abdullateh Sani, 39, as he was riding a motorcycle on his way home from a market at about 7.30am.

Abdullateh was announced dead at a hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-06-12

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Phuket murder suspect arrested after 3 years on the run

Phuket Murder Suspect Arrested After 3 Years On The Run - Thailand Forum

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Patong flood woes continue

Patong Flood Woes Continue - Thailand Forum

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Phuket Police nab cell phone bandits

Phuket Police Nab Cell Phone Bandits - Thailand Forum

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New DSI panel to ponder leniency for arrested Red Shirts supporters

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will set up a special legal team to study legtal aspects of granting pardon to jailed anti-government protesters who are facing less than two-year imprisonment for minor offences and not terrorism charges, said DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit on Saturday.

Mr Tharit said his office was assigned by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) to study a special law to omit punishment for some protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who faced imprisonment ranging from six months to two years or other minor offences, without terrorism charges.

DSI will establish a working group to study advantages and disadvantages of the proposal and must discuss with the Office of the Council of State as well, Mr Tharit said.

Tens of thousands of UDD protesters were involved in rallies against the government, which ended May 19 following a military crackdown on the demonstrators in the capital, said Mr Tharit, adding that the government does not want to punish those who did not commit arson or had not used military weapons against government forces and innocent people.

If such detainees are released it would be in line with the government-initiated national reconciliation plan, aimed at ridding social injustice and narrowing Thailand's widening gap between the rich and the poor, he said.

Regarding the recent killing of UDD security guard, Mr Tharit said an investigation would be conducted to see whether the killing stemmed from a personal conflict or from politics. If it is related to the recent demonstration or politics, the DSI would probe the matter.

Sakrin Kongkaew also known as Uan Buayai, 24, a Red Shirt leader in Nakhon Ratchasima was shot dead in that province's Buayai municipality. He was earlier summoned to report to the authorities at Suranaree army camp on May 2 for his role in the anti-government protest.

Currently, about one hundred UDD protesters imprisoned for violating the State of Emergency are now being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison, excluding some of them now jailed in upcountry. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-12

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok: Unregistered Vendors Agree to Leave Silom

Phuket bars stay open late for World Cup matches: Phuket Bars Stay Open Late For World Cup Matches - Thailand Forum

Conflict Reported in Democrat Party

Thailand: DSI to Study Amnesty for Red-shirts:

Laguna Marathon: Ananda to walk for charity in Phuket

Alexi Lalas: England have a warped perception of their own talent Overvalued England beware, this American side are top dollar | Alexi Lalas | Football | The Guardian /via @tukky_nt @guardian_sport

[Thaivisa News]

A man shot dead and another seriously wounded in Pattani

Phuket murder suspect arrested after 3 years on the run

Thailand: Phuket: Patong flood woes continue

Thailand: Phuket Police nab cell phone bandits

Just passed the ASTV studio. Still has nets to protect it from grenade attack from the river. There is a police boat here. /v @RichardBarrow