Thailand Live Tuesday 15 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 15 June 2010

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Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 14 June 2010

Thailand Live Monday 14 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Police Ordered to Swiftly Act against Politically-motivated Unrest

BANGKOK: -- The acting national police chief has ordered all involved police and security agencies to speed up their operations against unrest related to politics and determine whether the state of emergency should be lifted.

Acting national police chief Police General Pateep Tanprasert issued an urgent order to all security agencies and police commanders nationwide to take prompt legal action against any political unrest.

He said activities of certain groups and individuals must remain closely monitored and controlled to prevent another violent outbreak and to make sure they do not violate the Emergency Decree.

Police have been ordered to confiscate all war weapons and explosives found while criminal cases involving Emergency Decree violators will be sped up to gain the public's trust and strengthen the authorities' image.

Meanwhile, security units watching over areas protected by the Emergency Decree will report to the police to determine whether the state of emergency should be lifted.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-15

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Authorities Speed up Hunt for Yala Bombing Suspects

Following the recent bomb attacks in the Yala municipal area, authorities are speeding up their investigations to find the perpetrators while a victim of the blast has succumbed to injuries.

Deputy commander of the Special Operation Unit 11 Major Somkid Kongkang, along with the Yala police investigation unit and over 100 defense volunteers, scattered across the Yala municipal area to find leads, witnesses and information regarding the grenade attack on June 8 that resulted in 23 people wounded and two more attacks at two restaurants on June 12 that left one dead and 24 injured.

Police searched the area for about an hour but found no conclusive evidence or suspects.

Meanwhile, 57-year-old Sunant Kaewrat, who was injured in one of the attacks, has succumbed to his injuries and passed away at Yala Hospital.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-15

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Petrol station explosion wounds nine in Songkhla

By The Nation

Published on June 15, 2010

A bomb yesterday wounded nine people, including two Army rangers, at a small petrol station in Thepha district of the southern province of Songkhla.

The homemade device - a steel box packed with explosives - was placed under a petrol pump and detonated by unknown means. The blast damaged five parked motorcycles and a fence.

Six of the civilian victims were discharged from hospital yesterday, while the seventh is still in a serious condition. The two Army rangers sustained minor wounds.

Yala Governor Krissada Bunraj expressed concern over the trend of "new-wave" militants targeting innocent civilians. Many old-school insurgents and sympathisers, who went after mainly security and civilian officials, have turned themselves in or renounced violence.

"Old-school insurgents and sympathisers are giving themselves up, while the nature of recent attacks is apparently to aim at civilians," he said.

The double bomb attacks in downtown Yala over the weekend at a roadside restaurant was one example of such an assault, he said. Of the 23 people wounded, one died, bringing the death toll to two.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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Drive-by shooting hits Silom hotel for third time

By Supalak Suwannaroon

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Unknown gunmen opened fire into the front of an Indian businessman's hotel in Bangkok's Silom area early yesterday morning - reportedly the third assault on the hotel in two months.

Following the drive-by shooting at 2.30am, police called to the 33-room "Eros Residence" hotel found two front windows shattered but no injuries reported.

The hotel's security camera showed the gunmen came in a Sport Rider car but could not reveal its licence plate. Hotel owner Pares Cha, 43, said he wasn't involved in any dispute except for an ongoing lawsuit with a business partner over profit sharing.

He said the gunmen seemed to want to make a threat rather than kill anyone and that this was the third attack in the past two months.

The first was a drive-by shooting at a hotel window; and in the second an intruder hammered the hotel windows, causing Bt100,000-Bt200,000 in damage.

After police took up yesterday's complaint, Cha contacted the expressway gate at Silom and Surawong area for security camera footage in order to get a better view of the culprits' truck. He said he wanted the government and police to take good care of foreign investors' businesses like his hotel, which was located in the tourist and business area and had many foreign customers. The attacks were deterring customers from returning to the hotel.

Yannawa police station superintendent Colonel Sathien Tanthakul said police suspected the attack motive was business-related and they would check the expressway gate's camera for clues to the culprits soon.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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Rainmaking operations in bid to ease drought

By The Nation

In a bid to protect his people from drought, His Majesty the King is graciously offering artificial rainmaking.

The king will pay for the rainmaking operations to raise water levels in three big dams - the Bhumibol Dam, the Ubolrat Dam and the Pasak Jolasid Dam.

"His Majesty is concerned about the drought," Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachonprasart said yesterday during his inspection trip to the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.

Currently, there are just 4,187 million cubic metres of water in the Bhumibol Dam or just 31 per cent of its maximum capacity. Only 387 million cubic metres of water are available for use.

According to Sanan, who chairs a committee on water resources, His Majesty has thus graciously given both special rainmaking techniques and budget for the rainmaking operations in the hope of giving help to his people in the drought period. The royally-sponsored rainmaking operations usually take place when government-sponsored operations are unable to ease the problems of people in a timely manner.

Sanan said the royally-sponsored rainmaking operations would be conducted via the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Bureau's units in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Sawan.

The bureau's director Warawut Khantiyanont said the three units had been active since June 7.

"People need water for general use and farming," he explained, "We also need water to maintain a proper ecological system".

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday admitted Bangkok was unlikely to escape floods this year even though the city administration had bolstered its flood-prevention mechanisms.

"Bangkok is in a low-lying area," he explained.

So far, Sukhumbhand said, his city administration would be ready to quickly dispatch mobile pump stations to flooded areas in the capital.

"That should help," he said.

Last year, flooding hard hit Suan Luang, Bang Na and Prawet districts.

This year, floods are also expected to deluge many parts of Bangkok in October and November.

-- The Nation 2010-05-15

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Thaksin's allies allegedly funded reds to be revealed today

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

The names of 84 blacklisted people, whose bank accounts have been frozen with a view to possible assets seizure following their alleged funding of the red-shirt protests last month, are to be announced today on the recommendation of the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

The 84 have ties to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the money transactions among their bank accounts are suspected to have been directly involved with the protests and other crimes, including terrorism, acting secretary-general Sihanart Prayoonrat said yesterday.

They include politicians, business people and leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, which organised the protests.

The announcement of their names is mandated by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), which is taking criminal action and pursuing other sanctions, including assets seizure, against them.

"These people, including some legal entities, are required to meet with Amlo to clarify money transactions found by us to be suspicious," said Sihanart.

The CRES will be officially empowered by Amlo to summon all 84 people to a number of committees to be set up to handle the cases against those who cannot explain or defend transfers to and from their bank accounts.

Amlo has determined that about Bt150 billion circulated among the bank accounts of those blacklisted and was for funding red-shirt activities and protests.

The combined amount that could be seized in the accounts comes to Bt10 billion.

If account-owners cannot clarify the suspicious transactions, Amlo will hand over transaction details to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for subsequent seizure.

Owners of bank accounts who successfully defend their transactions will have their names withdrawn from the blacklist.

Sihanart said many of the names were well known to the public and not people normally seen walking down the street. "Some of them withdrew hundreds of thousands of baht from ATM machines on a daily basis. Some of them paid off a sport-utility vehicle they bought during the protest, with money coming from unknown sources," he added.

Amlo and the DSI are discussing the establishment of 10 committees, which will also comprise officials from the Revenue Department and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, to investigate the transactions and take the cases forward jointly.

The four agencies will meet on Thursday to discuss work procedures.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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US puts Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam on human trafficking watch list /via MCOTEnglishnews

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Fire at Srithai Superware warehouse in Chonburi put under control; no casualties, damage cost estimated aroud Bt100 mln /via MCOTEnglishnews

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PM to finalise decision on amnesty for reds

The prime minister will have a final say on whether to grant amnesty to the red shirts who rallied without any involvement in the eruption of violence pending a review by the authorities, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday.

"At the moment, the government has not drawn any conclusion on the amnesty issue," he said.

The three security and law enforcement agencies are in the process of conducting the review and the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation will subsequently submit its recommendations related to the amnesty, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Seh Daeng's Daughter: I Willl Lead Dad's Political Party

Seh Daeng's Daughter: I Willl Lead Dad's Political Party - Thailand Forum

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Remand hearing for 11 red-shirt leaders charged for terrorism

The 11 red-shirt leaders, including Natthawut Saikua, on Tuesday's morning arrived for their remand hearing on terrorism charges at the Criminal Court after travelling under tight security from their detention centre at Naresuan camp, Cha-am, Phetchaburi.

Hundreds of red shirts, including Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan, showed up to lend moral support.

The prosecution has sought the judicial approval to remand the 11 under the court's custody following the expiry of 30-day detention under the emergency rule.

Defence lawyer Karom Phontaklang said he will file bail applications posting Bt1 million as bond for each of the 11.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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DSI opposes bail for 8 Red Shirts, citing aggressive behavior, likely to escape to incite more violence; no bail objection for Veera,Weng, Korkaew /via MCOT

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PM Abhisit to finalise decision on amnesty for reds

Exclusive Interview: Seh Daeng's daughter: I'll lead dad's political party: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Seh-Daengs-Daughter-I-Willl-t374992.html

Thaksin's allies allegedly funded reds to be revealed today

Rainmaking operations in bid to ease drought

Police Ordered to Swiftly Act against Politically-motivated Unrest

Petrol station explosion wounds nine in Songkhla

Drive-by shooting hits Silom hotel for third time

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Court Denies Red Shirt Bail

The Criminal Court has denied bail for 11 red shirt leaders which include Red shirt leaders Nuttawut Saikua, Weera Musikapong, Weng Tohjirakarn, Wiphutalaeng Pattanabhumitai, Kwanchai Praipana, Kokaeo Pikulthong, Yoswarit Chooklom, Nisit Sintuprai, and three of the group's guards. They were led from Naresuen Camp in Petchburi province this morning to appear before the court to be ruled

for further detainment. The renewed imprisonment period is being sought over the eleven's ties to terrorist acts.

The court sais that since the charges hold a maximum sentence of death, it fears the suspects might flee during further investigation.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-15

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Red Shirt Supporters Try to Surround Van Transporting Leaders Back to Hua Hin

Red shirt supporters tried to prevent a van carrying red shirt leaders from leaving the courthouse after the 11 suspects were denied bail. Authorities on the scene managed to secure the situation. The red shirt leaders' lawyer will appeal the verdict tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-15

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Fire hit Srithai Superware plant

CHONBURI: -- Srithai Superware Plc, the country's largest kitchenware manufacturer, factory in Chonburi province was hit by a fire early Tuesday.

Damage was initially estimated at 70 per cent, or about Bt100 million. The over 3,000 workers will likely be affected by the business interruption caused by the fire. Delivery of goods and production capacity will also be affected, the company said.

Meanwhile, the company shares fell 5.7 per cent to Baht 7.40 on Tuesday, the sharpest decline since November 2008.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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Flight risk cited for denying bail for 11 red leaders

The Criminal Court on Tuesday's afternoon cited flight risk as gronnd for denying bail applications of the 11 red-shirt leaders charged for terrorism.

The court granted the remand for 12 days between today and June 26. The 11 are to be held at Bangkok Remand Prison and not sent back to their detention centre at Naresuan camp, Cha-am, Phetchaburi.

At the remand hearing, the defence posted Bt1 million bail for each of the 11 but the Department of Special Investigation filed the prosecution writ opposing the temporary release on the ground for flight risk, evidence tampering and possible recurrence of the unrest.

The 11 reds include Veera Musigapong, Natthawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn, Kwanchai Praipana Sarakam, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, Nisit Sinthuprai, Jeng Dokjik who is also known as Yoswarit Chuklom and Kokaew Pikulthong.

The other three are red-shirt guards. They comprise Pichet "Phumikitti" Sukchinda, Amnart Intarachote and Sombat Makthong.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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Thailand: Flight risk cited for denying bail for 11 red shirts leaders

Fire hit Srithai Superware plant in Chonburi

Red Shirt Supporters Try to Surround Van Transporting Leaders Back to Hua Hin

Man Killed In High Speed Road Crash In Sattahip: Man Killed In High Speed Road Crash In Sattahip - Thailand Forum

Deviant 'Swingers' Party Raided By Police In Pattaya: Deviant “Swingers” Party Raided By Ahtd Police In Pattaya - Thailand Forum

Bangkok Criminal Court denies bail for 11 red shirt leaders

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SET index closed at 780.37, down 0.76; Bt/USD32.02; GBP47.05; AUD27.17; EUR39.00; CAD30.70; HKD4.06; SGD22.77; JPY34.70

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Thailand: Red Shirt Leaders Sent to Bangkok Remand Prison: Eleven Thai Protest Leaders Denied Bail - Thailand Forum

Thailand: 9-million Baht sign for Patong Hill, Phuket: 9-Million Baht Sign For Patong Hill, Phuket - Thailand Forum

Bangkok: Eleven Thai protest leaders denied bail: Eleven Thai Protest Leaders Denied Bail - Thailand Forum

Thailand: Pattaya: Penniless German arrested for overstay and 47,500 Baht unpaid hotel bill: Penniless German Arrested For Overstay & Unpaid Hotel Bill - Thailand Forum

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Law Society head suggests consolidation of 5 cases against Thaksin

The head of the Law Society of Thailand Tuesday suggested the authorities consolidate all five cases against fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to improve their chances of having him extradited to Thailand.

Sak Korsaengruang said Thaksin has been charged in five cases - the special lottery project, Export-Import Bank's controversial loans to Burma, Ratchadaphisek land scandal, telecoms excise tax conversion, and terrorism. Three of the cases have come before a court while arrest warrants were issued for him in two other cases.

Sak said the authorities had treated the key cases separately in their earlier efforts to seek Thaksin's extradition from overseas, which made it difficult for them to succeed. He suggested that all the cases should be consolidated in the authorities' request for Thaksin's extradition. "The work may take a longer period of time but it will be worthwhile," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-06-15

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Bangkok Police Nab 259 People For World Cup Gambling

Bangkok Police Nab 259 People For World Cup Gambling - Thailand Forum

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Gen Sonthi backs purchase of Thaicom

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Leader of the Matubhum Party General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has agreed with the government's plan to buy back Thaicom Satellite from Temasek Holdings for national security.

General Sonthi, also former Army Chief and former Chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), expressed his strong support for the planned repurchase of Thaicom Satellite from Singapore-based Temasek Holdings for its supervision by the Thai government. He highlighted the importance of the satellite to internal security, not only in the area of the military but also the economic and social stability, citing that any disclosure of confidential information could cause substantial damages to the country.

The Thai government has assigned the Ministry of Finance to study the repurchase of Thaicom Satellite from Temasek Holdings as well as its pricing to ensure a transparent procurement process.

-- NNT 2010-06-15

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Krung Thai invites the public to join Namjai Market to help riot affected traders

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Krung Thai Bank invites members of the public to join the Namjai Market, organized to help riot affected traders, during these last four days.

The Market has been organized at the Krung Thai Headquarter, North Nana, Sukhumvit Road since 7 June from 17.00-20.00 hrs, visited by a throng of people so far. The event is to continue until 18 June along with several activities other than quality products sold by protest affected operators.

This event occurred with the cooperation from several parties such as the Community Organizations Development Institution(Public Organization), the Faculty of Social Administration of Thammasat University, the Bangkok Forum and OK Nation Block, for example.

-- NNT 2010-06-15

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Northgate Avenue at Thai-Malaysian border launched in line with IMT-GT program

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thailand and Malaysia join hands to promote border trade in accordance with the IMT-GT, the growth triangle economic corridors, by launching the construction project of duty free shopping mall and commercial buildings at Thai-Malaysian border.

The project of duty free shopping mall and commercial buildings or the Northgate Avenue is under construction, located in 151 rai of land between Betong and Pengkalan Hulu boundary posts. It is a commercial development project in line with the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), an economic development program among the three countries. This project allows Thai investors to join Malaysian firms for business operation under the support of both countries’ laws.

Thai and Malaysian products will be available at the premise including hotel, spa, bowling, fast food and traditional massage. The project was launched officially since 11 June 2010.

-- NNT 2010-06-15

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Teen Admits to Killing Abusive Step-Father

Police arrested a 17-year-old for beating his step-father to death. The suspect has admitted that his motive was the violence in his family, as his step-father constantly assaulted his mother.

Police arrested a 17-year-old for allegedly slaying his 46-year-old step-father who has been identified as Nattawut Ngamrabeab in Bangkok's Talingchan district.

Police said the murderer later admitted to killing the step-father out of anger after having watched his 46-year-old mother, Ampan Thai-ngam, get beaten by the drunk husband many times.

The 17-year-old explained Nattawut was unemployed and had been with his mother for two years.

The young killer added that his step-father was always asking for money to buy alcohol and assaulting his mother.

Police told reporters that the dead man recently got drunk at a birthday party and had beaten his wife in front of the son.

After the party was over, the 17-year-old son and his friend went into the father's room and beat the man to death with a stick.

Later, the 17-year-old son called police and informed them that his step-father was killed by a robber who wanted a gold necklace.

Police said the young murderer has been charged with deliberately killing his step-father, but will be tried as a juvenile.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-15

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Teen Admits to Killing Abusive Step-Father

10 million Baht drug bust nets university student and his father: 10 Million Baht Drug Bust Nets Thai University Student And His Father - Thailand Forum

Northgate Avenue at Thai-Malaysian border launched

Krung Thai invites the public to join Namjai Market to help riot affected traders

General Sonthi backs purchase of Thaicom

Bangkok police nab 259 people for World Cup gambling: Bangkok Police Nab 259 People For World Cup Gambling - Thailand Forum

Thai Cabinet approves setting up of office for prevention & suppression of information technology offences /via BkkPost

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 16 June 2010

Thailand Live Wednesday 16 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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