Thailand Live Thursday 17 Jun 2010

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433 football gambling suspects nabbed so far

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A total of 433 people involved in football gambling have been arrested in the first six days of the 2010 FIFA World Cup (11-16 June 2010), according to the ad hoc Center on Gambling Prevention and Suppression during 2010 World Cup Football.

Police officers have arrested 9 bookmakers, 9 errand runners, and 415 punters so far. A total of 90,650 THB cash and lists of betting worth 548,435 THB were seized during the past six days.

A majority of arrested bookmakers, errand runners and betters, were found in the areas of the Metropolitan Police Division 8.

The ad hoc center reported further that the police could arrest 1 bookmaker, 3 errand runners and 144 gamblers with 9,000 THB in cash and lists of betting worth 88,000 THB on 16 June alone.

-- NNT 2010-06-17

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Young Pattaya Women Hoodwinked into Prostitution in Malaysia

Young Pattaya Women Hoodwinked Into Prostitution In Malaysia - Thailand Forum

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Justice Ministry: 43,000 websites insulting monarchy closed; soon shutting 3,000 more sites

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Justice Ministry has closed 43,000 websites insulting to the Thai monarchy and is proceeding to shut another 3,000 websites which might contain lese majeste offenses, according to Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga.

Mr Pirapan said the ministry had closed 43,000 websites deemed to have lese majeste content and another 3,000 websites will soon be closed under similar charges.

He said the ministry was also tracking two people who committed lese majeste and had fled abroad. No details were given about the two.

Under the Internal Security Act and the Computer-related Offenses Act of 2007, legal action may be taken against the operators of the websites should they continue to generate any content deemed offensive to the nation's revered king.

Justice Minister, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Chuti Krairiksh and Minister of Culture Niphit Intharasombat on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join forces to protect monarchy, society and public from vice that come with information technology.

Mr Chuti said since the start of the World Cup in South Africa on June 11, more than 500 websites were closed because of the betting offences but it could re-open within 2-3 hours.

He said the cooperation of the three ministries would help expand the authorities to take legal action against the information technology related crimes, particularly fraud through internet and expected that the concrete result could be seen in three months.

The information and communication technology ministry was aware of the risk from hackers who might attack government websites within 7-8 hours and the officials were urgently seeking the prevention. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-17

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Wives of two red-shirt leaders deny financial linkage to terrorism

Thida Tojirakarn and Srivilai Musigapong on Thursday denied the news reports that their husbands, weng Tojirakarn and Veera Musigapong, had any suspicious financial transactions linked to terrorism.

The reports cited the report of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation naming 86 individuals, including weng and Veera, with unusual banking records during the red-shirt rally.

Thida said the sudden rise of about Bt1.4 million in Weng's bank account was attributed to the payment for a land deal made about 10 years ago.

The payments to weng were made over several years, she said, claiming to have past records for Bt3 million and Bt2 million payments as proof of the deal.

-- The Nation 2010-06-17

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Justice Ministry: 43,000 websites insulting monarchy closed; soon shutting 3,000 more sites

Phuket opinion: lax standards led to mudslide deaths: Phuket Opinion: Lax Standards Led To Mudslide Deaths - Thailand Forum

Young Pattaya Women Hoodwinked into Prostitution in Malaysia: Young Pattaya Women Hoodwinked Into Prostitution In Malaysia - Thailand Forum

Crops ruined in various provinces as drought intensifies

Korn: Govt Thaicom acquisition under negotiations

433 football gambling suspects nabbed so far

Thailand upset by US human trafficking watch list: Thailand Upset By US Human Trafficking Watch List - Thailand Forum

Former Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon reported himself at the Lumpini police station

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Tragedy In Thailand: Family Devastated As Rebecca, 21, Drowns On Holiday

Tragedy In Thailand: Family Devastated As Rebecca, 21, Drowns On Holiday - Thailand Forum

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Training plane crash-lands in Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI: -- Two pilot trainers were injured when their training light plane crash-landed here.

The accident took place at about 11 am in Moo 2 village of Tambon Donchedi in Phanom Thuan district, police said.

The two pilot trainers - Flight Lieutenant Pitchaya Pa-obthip, 40 and Wing Commander Akkarayothin Wanchadok, 40 - were injured and stuck inside the plane which flipped over.

They were rescued from the plane and rushed to a hospital.

Prawit Thong-in, 63, the owner of the field where the plane crash-landed to police that he saw the plane flying lower and lower to his field before it crashed.

-- The Nation 2010-06-17

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Poll: Grassroots rather optimistic with national future

BANGKOK (NNT) -- A majority of people in grassroots communities have confidence that the country will improve, according to a recent survey conducted by the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

As elaborated by Director of the Center of Economic and Business Forecast (CEBF), Dr Thanawat Polvichai, 35.8% of the respondents believed that the situation would slightly improve after the recent 3-month political unrest.

In addition, 75.7% of the respondents deemed the rifts in national politics and society curable because Thais can forget things easily, they dislike violence, and love the monarchy.

49.4% of the respondents however voiced concerns with their income and admitted that they must be more careful in their spending. 24.3% of the respondents wanted the government help those who suffered from the political unrest.

Regarding reconciliation and legal action, 19.6% of the respondents called for the government to prosecute those law violators while nearly the same amount of respondents or 19% asked the government to make an understanding with the public in all areas.

Most of the respondents suggested the government show sincerity in solving problems and mitigating poverty to reduce social disparities. They also urged the government to organize some activities to promote love and unity among Thai people.

The survey was conducted among 1,795 respondents in the grassroots level on their opinions towards the recent political mayhem in the country.

-- NNT 2010-06-17

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Prosecutors have formally charged Briton Jeff Savage & Australian Conor Purcell with violation of state of emergency./via @veen_NT/ RT @tulsathit

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SET index closed at 789.34, up 2.70; Bt/USD32.03; GBP46.92; AUD27.33; EUR39.28; CAD30.92; HKD4.06; SGD22.84; JPY34.81

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BANGKOK RIOTS

Australian, Briton charged with inciting violence

By The Nation, Agencies

BANGKOK: -- A Briton and an Australian who took part in Bangkok warfare and red shirted protests in May were charged Thursday with inciting violence and committing other crimes.

The maximum punishment of the charge could lead to two years in prison. Briton Jeff Savage, 48, screamed abusive comments about Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the PM's wife as he was led past reporters on Thursday. He called Abhisit "a murderer."

Meanwhile Australian Conor Purcell, 30, is accused of inciting violence by making incendiary speeches on the red shirts' stage.

"I'm confident I can beat the charges," Purcell said to reporters.

A video footage showed Savage stating his intention to set fire to the CentralWorld shopping mall after the red shirts leaders surrendered and ended the protests.

"We're gonna smash the Central (World) Plaza, we're gonna loot everything, gold, watches, everything, and then we're gonna burn it to the ground,'' Savage said in the video.

The defence is expected to call Dr weng Tohjirakarn, a red shirt leader, to testify in the Australia's favour. weng is now detained under terrorism charge.

The court set the next hearing for July 28.

-- The Nation 2010-06-17

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SET index closed at 789.34, up 2.70; Bt/USD32.03; GBP46.92; AUD27.33; EUR39.28; CAD30.92; HKD4.06; SGD22.84; JPY34.81

Prosecutors filed seperate suits against the two foreigners which were read to them by Thai translators. /via @tulsathit

Poll: Grassroots rather optimistic with national future

Training plane crash-lands in Kanchanaburi

Pm says govt won't buy back thaicom if its too xpensive. /via @tulsathit

British family devastated as daughter drowns on holiday in Phuket: Tragedy In Thailand: Family Devastated As Rebecca, 21, Drowns On Holiday - Thailand Forum

Wives of two red-shirt leaders deny financial linkage to terrorism

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Accused freed in "face lift" attempted murder case

BANGKOK: -- The Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court Thursday acquitted a man accused of attempting to murder in 2006 a woman who had a legal dispute with the owner of the Bio Clinic cosmetic surgery clinic, which she claimed had disfigured her face.

On grounds of insufficient evidence, the court yesterday cleared Prakob Srinak of the attempted murder of the late Apassanan Thitichotechaipreecha, 53, aka Raviwan Setarat, who was involved in a legal dispute with Bio Clinic owner Dr Kaweewat Hengswat, at the time of her murder on Sept 13, 2007.

The lawsuit said the defendant and an accomplice had fired a gun at Apassanan on November 8, 2006 in Soi Lat Phrao 132, but the bullet missed.

Despite video testimony by his friend Jaturong Benkul that Prakob had told him he tried to kill the victim at the time, and Prakob's alleged confession during questioning, Prakob denied the admission during the trial claiming it was made in fear for his life. The court said the prosecutor couldn't produce a gun or eyewitnesses, casting doubt on the accusation, and acquitted him - but had him detained pending an appeal.

-- The Nation 2010-06-17

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Phuket hero pulls motorist from burning Volvo

Phuket Hero Pulls Motorist From Burning Volvo - Thailand Forum

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Briton and Australian face trial over Thai unrest: Briton And Australian Face Trial Over Thai Unrest - Thailand Forum

Phuket hero pulls motorist from burning Volvo: Phuket Hero Pulls Motorist From Burning Volvo - Thailand Forum

Accused freed in "face lift" attempted murder case

Briton Jeff Savage and Australian Conor Purcell charged with inciting violence

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Female suspect in human trafficking ring nabbed at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Female Suspect In Human Trafficking Ring Nabbed At Suvarnabhumi Airport - Thailand Forum

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English out of World Cup in Phuket

English Out Of World Cup In Phuket - Thailand Forum

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Thai political situation clarified to US

BANGKOK (NNT) -- President of the Thai Trade Representatives Kiat Sittheeamorn clarified the political situation in Thailand to politicians and civilians of the US during his official visit to the country.

Mr Kiat stated that he was assigned by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to represent him on the visit to the US last week. During the mission, he held talks on the current situation of the Thai politics with US politicians, including the Vice Secretary of State and members of the Congress, as well as a group of intellects and Thai people residing in the country.

Mr Kiat deemed his visit successful in helping regain the confidence of the US in Thailand. He elaborated that the US officials did not question the efficiency and neutrality of the Thai legal system and were interested in the direction the Thai politics would be heading. The attending authorities also pledged not to intervene in the Thai government’s administration of the country.

In addition, Mr Kiat said that he had a chance to meet with US investors, who were still eager about investing in Thailand.

-- NNT 2010-06-17

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CRES summon persons with suspicious financial transactions from Friday

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Thursday said it will summon persons whose accounts have been frozen due to suspicious transactions to report to its headquarters beginning tomorrow, saying they will be charged for funding

terrorism if they fail to appear.

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the agency discussed the progress of legal prosecution by the National Police Bureau,the Department of Special Investigation and the CRES intelligence department against wrongdoers.

Col Sansern said the agency will set up eight committees to question 86 persons with suspicious financial transactions. The questioning will begin Friday and carry on through July 15.

He said there will be leniency for some persons with a large number of financial transactions which need more time to collect evidence.

However the CRES spokesman reiterated the suspected persons must report and explain their financial activities to the panel. If they fail to appear, they will be initially charged for funding terrorism.

Col Sansern added that the Interior Ministry, the armed forces, and the police will conduct pros and cons of the Emergency Decree enforcement June 24 and report it to the National Security Council and CRES before forwarding it to the Cabinet to consider whether the security law will be extended

or lifted.

A four-party meeting of the DSI, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and the Revenue Department earlier agreed to set up eight committees to investigate financial transactions of persons suspected to have supported the criminal activities of the Red Shirts.

The suspects will be classified in five categories, including persons with close ties to fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, protest leaders, politicians, businessmen, state officials, some senior military officers and police officers.

Eighty-six persons reportedly will be summoned to clarify their unusual transactions and to show evidence to protest their innocence. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-17

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 18 June 2010

Thailand Live Friday 18 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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