Thailand Live Monday 21 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Monday 21 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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a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Sunday 20 June 2010

Thailand Live Sunday 20 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Academics asked to rethink over govt action toward UDD rally

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The ruling Democrat Party has asked some groups of academics to revise their own roles and opinion expressions regarding the operation of the government against the street protest of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

Countering criticisms by the academics, Spokesperson to the Democrat Party Leader, Thepthai Senpong, said the information given by the academics were not well-rounded and might, therefore, create misunderstanding among the public.

Mr Thepthai called on the academics to give more justice to the authorities as security forces were operating under pressure at that time.

As for legal movements of relatives of the deceased UDD supporters, the spokesperson ensured that the government would support their move and accelerate its efforts to bring all petitions to light.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party Spokesperson, MD Buranaj Smutharaks, said academics should remain neutral and therefore urged them to revise their own roles if they were truly independent or not.

A group of academics earlier criticized the government for mishandling the protest of the UDD in a seminar regarding rallies of the UDD from Rachadamnoen to Ratchaprasong.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Campaign to stop CSC move on worker numbers

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Published on June 21, 2010

A signature campaign is running until next month to stop the Civil Service Commission from controlling the number of government medical workers.

"The move is intended to boost the efficiency of humanresources management in the publichealth field," Dr Samphan Khomrit, a Medical Council member, said yesterday.

All government doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and medical workers are officials of the Public Health Ministry.

Samphan said the ministry's officials should no longer remain under the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which had a policy of reducing the government's headcount.

State medical facilities actually need more staff to accomplish their mission of delivering comprehensive and highquality services, he said.

Without a quota to recruit more permanent officials, the ministry has to rely heavily on temporary medical workers who would quit sooner or later after losing hope of becoming bureaucrats.

At a recent brainstorming session, more than 1,000 doctors as well as administrators and staff of public medical facilities agreed that the CSC should no longer oversee the ministry's officials.

"We are going to gather at least 10,000 names to propose a law that will make the Public Health Ministry's officials independent from the CSC," he said.

The campaign will end by July 30 and the draft bill will be submitted to Parliament by August 1.

Dr Seri Hongyok, deputy permanent secretary of the ministry, chairs a committee studying the issue.

"We will look into government officials who have already broken away from the civil service like teachers who now have to work under local administrative bodies. We will see whether personnel problems have decreased in these cases," Seri said.

The committee will consist of representatives from all affected agencies such as the Comptroller General's Department and National Salary Committee.

As for the demand that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) come under the ministry's supervision, the public should have the say on the matter, he added.

Dr Prateep Thanakijjaroen, deputy NHSO secretarygeneral, said the NHSO was established as an independent agency to empower people who use medical services.

"If the NHSO is under the Public Health Ministry, the provider and the buyer of medical services will be very much the same entity," he said.

The NHSO operates the universal healthcare plan.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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PM defends accounts freeze

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/PM-Abhisit-Funds-Freeze-t376840.html

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A bleak future for those disabled in May clashes

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Seksit Khanthong

Though it's been a month since the political unrest was brought to a violent end on May 19, some people are still feeling the pain and looking for ways to rebuild their lives.

Redshirt protester Santipong Inchan, a 24yearold new graduate, had the dream of becoming a flight attendant. It is a wellpaying job, and he speaks the Englishlanguage fluently enough to deal with foreign tourists. Unfortunately, this dream of his will never come true because he lost his eye to a rubber bullet during the April 10 clash at Khok Wua intersection.

"Which airline will accept a man with one eye?" he asked.

He is currently waiting for an artificial eye and needs to go to hospital regularly for treatment. Since he hails from a middleincome background, he does not have enough funds to cover his treatment and is asking for donations.

Ever since he lost sight in one of his eyes, he has not been able to get around too well and often runs into things. Also needs help to clean his wound every four hours.

Santipong joined the redshirt rally on March 12 at Phan Fa Bridge, because he had heard about the political movement while studying at the Mae Fah Luang University.

"My friend told me about the yellowshirt movement while he was watching the ASTV channel. Later, I spoke to my parents about the yellow shirts and they advised me to find out more about it. So I looked through the Internet, and discovered that some of the accusations the yellow shirts were making against the red shirts were untrue," he said.

When the protest kicked off at Phan Fah Bridge, he made his way there to talk to the demonstrators and discovered that most of them came from the Northeast.

"They just wanted the government to dissolve the House of Representatives. It was not such a difficult task, but the government did not do it. Instead, they used violence to crackdown on the protesters and caused so much damage, so many lives were lost," he lamented.

On April 10, Santipong had gone to Phan Fah Bridge with his parents and decided to go to the frontline. The protesters were trying to push back troops stationed at Khok Wua intersection. His parents were watching from the Democracy Monument.

He said the standoff began at about 6pm, and before too long he heard gunshots and grenades. At around 7pm, teargas was fired at the protesters and they scattered. Santipong was making his way out of the area to find a place where he could wash his eyes. However, he was suddenly hit and as he collapsed he saw a foreign photographer taking pictures nearby and yelled for help. The cameraman asked someone nearby to take Santipong to the medical tents, and he was eventually sent to Vajira Hospital.

While he waits for an artificial eye from a private hospital, he can't help but wonder about his future. After all, he doesn't know if the airline he had applied to would accept him now that he has just one eye. Moreover, he was also a redshirt protester.

Another victim whose life has been shattered is 28yearold motorcycle taxi driver Seksit Khanthong. Bullets hit him in both his eyes while he was delivering a passenger at a protest site near the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on May 19.

He had decided to stay in the area because he was worried about his friends who were protesting at Rajprasong intersection. He had heard that the troops were working to disperse the protesters there, but he couldn't make his way there because soldiers were blocking the roads. So he stood there waiting and watching until 10am, when the soldiers started shooting and he ended up losing his sight.

"The doctors have told me that I have little chance of seeing again because the bullets have cut the optic nerve," he said.

He has been undergoing treatment at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital.

Seksit, father of a sevenyearold boy, supported his family by working as a motorcycle taxi driver. However, now that he is disabled, his wife will have to shoulder the financial burdens, including mortgage payments for their new home.

"Even though I had no weapons, I have been named a terrorist," he said. "I'm just an ordinary man who works in the mornings and goes home in the evenings."

Yet, he hasn't lost his spirit and is determined to keep fighting for justice for the poor.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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Japan invites Thai students to seminar

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Good news for students interested in experiencing Japan: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is offering five seats for Thai students to join its APU World College Experience 2010 to be held in August.

The seminar,between August 3 and 8, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of APU.

Five selected Thai students will be among 40 APU student ambassadors chosen from eight countries.

They will be given a chance to listen to APU lecturers' speeches, attend a discussion session on the topic of different cultures, seek an opportunity to study Japanese language, and learn about students' ways of life in Beppu City, Oita Province.

On returning to Thailand, they will describe the events and share their experiences with other young people.

Interested students should submit an application form before June 25 to APU Thailand office: 99/14 Soi 84 Petkasem Road, Bangkok 10160 Thailand.

Applicants will be selected by a Thai committee, and parents of those selected can donate US$600 (Bt20,000) each to supplement expenses paid by APU for air tickets, accommodation, meals and other items.

Email [email protected] or visit www.aputhailand.com or call 02455 2121 or 024130275 press 0 for more information and the application form.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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Call to help poor students and families

By The Nation

Narumon's house

Donors are being sought to help improve the housing of poor students in rural areas.

Two such students are Narumon, who lives with her family inside an old and shabby cottage without electricity, tap water or even a toilet in Uthai Thani province; and Daoruang who also lives with her family in a very poor cottage in Suphan Buri province, are to be given new houses by the Saengthian Buddhist Foundation.

The foundation plans to begin building work from July 1, and its teachers and youth volunteers as well as local people will join in to help.

It expects each house will cost Bt90,000 - the amount paid for construction equipment only.

Call (02) 4656165, 4658532 or 4668354 or fax (02) 4724212 to contact the foundation. Donors can also transfer money to the account of the foundation with Bangkok Bank, number 1260361512.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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SRT adds Ladkrabang 2 station to Airport Link

BANGKOK, 21 June 2010 (NNT) — The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has added an additional Ladkrabang 2 station to its Suvarnabhumi Airport Link line.

According to SRT Governor, Yutthana Thapcharoen the Ladkrabang 2 station is open today for a free trial from Monday-Friday, from 07.00-10.00 hrs and 16.00-19.00 hrs. Mr Yutthana said that the trial service will stop at Phya Thai, Ramkhamhaeng, Huamark and Suvarnabhumi.

On 15 June 2010, the SRT has launched two additional stations, Huamark and Ramkhamhaeng to its Suvarnabhumi Airport Link.

The train’s trial run started on 1 June 2010, providing non-stop service from Phya Thai Station and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The commercial service of the airport link is scheduled to begin on 12 August 2010.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Culture Minister confident Ayutthaya historical park won’t be delisted from World Heritage

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Culture Ministry is confident that Ayutthaya historical park will not be withdrawn from UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites due to the ongoing trespassing problem.

Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat stated the encroachment problem in the ancient historical venue of Ayutthaya would not affect the preservation of World Heritage site status as the landmark was highly valued by the local community.

Many people fear that one of Thailand’s world heritage sites will be ruled out from UNESCO’s list after the premise has been devalued by the intrusion of street vendors as well as new construction projects.

The Fine Arts Department and the Culture Ministry are currently expediting a plan to solve the trespassing problem.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Summons for 83 blacklisted entities awaiting approval

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) prepares to call in 83 blacklisted individuals and companies suspected of financially supporting the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) rally for inquiry.

DSI Director-General, Tharit Pengdit said the summons for the 83 suspects associated with funding for the UDD was waiting for the Army Chief’s official approval. All of the blacklisted entities will be called in within a few days to clarify their irregular financial transactions believed to be linked to the UDD’s months-long protest in Bangkok.

Mr Tharit admitted that the investigation process had taken a long time because there were a lot of numbers and information involved in the case.

In today’s meeting, the Center of Resolution for the Emergency Situation (CRES) will conclude probe results of the financial transaction cases before passing them on to the relevant agencies for further deliberation. The meeting will also discuss the continuation of the emergency decree in some areas.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Thaksin's cousin ready to defend himself over suspicious transactions

Chaiyasit Shinawatra, a cousin of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Monday that he is ready to defend himself over the suspicious transactions worth B37 million.

Chaiyasit, a former Army chief, said he has not yet served a summon order to meet officials so far.

Chaiyasit is among 83 names declared by the Centre for the Resolutions of Emergency Situation as individuals and firms suspected of having financed illegal activities of the red-shirt movements.

Chaiyasit said the Bt37 million transactions were normal money withdrawing which he could explain.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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Thai Airways: Number of Western Tourists to Pick Up by the Year's End

BANGKOK: -- National airline Thai Airways says the number of travelers from the United States and European nations are starting to pick up in the Kingdom, now that political tensions have abated.

Thai Airways President Piyasawasdi Amranand said the number of foreign tourists in the 2nd Quarter have been miserable, as the company suffered greatly from the impacts of the country's political turmoil and the volcanic ash cloud that brought European air traffic to a halt.

He added that Thai Airways has had to retool its marketing plans, reroute flights, and cut unnecessary expenses, in order to maintain its financial standing.

However, Piyasawasdi pointed out that in the first two weeks of June, more tourists from the United States and European countries are coming to Thailand.

He observed that Asian travelers, meanwhile, might be among the last to start visiting the country again as they are known to be most cautious.

The THAI president expects the results to pick up in the second half of the year, citing a recent increase in advanced bookings for July and the upcoming high season.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-21

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800 police to be deployed at Seh Daeng’s funeral

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Four companies of riot-control police will be deployed at the funeral of Army Specialist Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol or Seh Daeng to secure the ceremony while over 10,000 people are expected to attend the rite.

More than 800 officers from the riot-control unit and traffic police will be posted at Seh Daeng’s royal cremation ceremony at Wat Somanat Ratchawora Wihan temple tomorrow to ensure safety. Over 10,000 people including supporters of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and his relatives are expected at the ceremony.

Pro-UDD figure Major General Khattiya was shot in the head by a sniper on the evening of 13 May at Sala Daeng Intersection nearby the UDD rally site while giving an interview to foreign media. He suffered from severe brain injury for few days before passing away on the morning of 17 May.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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ICT minister says he needs 2 weeks to study Thaicom buy-back

Information and Communications Minister Juti Krai-rirk said Monday that a final decision should be made in two weeks whether the government should buy back the satellite business from Temasek Holdings.

Juti said he had yet to consult a legal advisory team and a special panel that was set up to conduct parallel study on the issue.

The two teams would consider the buy-back option based on a Supreme Court ruling on the satellite business.

The studies should be completed within two weeks, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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THB speculated to stabilize throughout the day

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai currency opened at 32.30-32.31 THB against the USD this morning while its movement is expected to stabilize throughout the day.

Financial analysts from the Bank of Ayudhya stated that the Thai baht had strengthened up from last week’s closing by 10 satang. China’s announcement on Saturday on its decision to loosen the Chinese yuan has eased investor tensions after the year-long currency fixation put pressure on the market.

Despite the relief, analysts advise a continual monitor on the situation.

At present, there is no concern as the Thai baht is still moving with the regional market. However, the Bank of Thailand will try to stabilize the movement in case the baht undergoes an unconventional flux.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Villagers urged to beware of respiratory diseases, flu infections

MAHA SARAKHAM (NNT) -- Maha Sarakham Hospital and the Maha Sarakham Provincial Public Health Office have jointly launched a campaign to encourage people to protect themselves from the current spread of respiratory diseases and influenza.

Many children and seniors infected with respiratory diseases and influenza have been increasingly found in the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham at present due to the climate variability in the province.

Some of the spreading respiratory diseases are the common cold, influenza, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

The hospital and provincial public health office hence urged villagers to wash their hands frequently as well as wear facemasks when going outside in order to protect themselves from virus infections.

Director of the Maha Sarakham Hospital, Sunthorn Yontakul, also suggest people consume only well-cooked food and exercise frequently to stay healthy.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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People warned of rabies spread

BANGKOK (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health has cautioned people to beware of the current rabies spread in the country after 13 fatalities have been confirmed in the first five months of 2010 thus far.

According to Deputy Public Health Minister, Phansiri Kullanartsiri, 13 people from seven provinces have died from rabies. 12 of the patients who died were bitten by dogs with owners while another person died by being bitten from a stray cat.

Six patients were from Bangkok alone while two were from the western province of Kanchanaburi. Saraburi, Samut Prakan, Suphan Buri, Tak, and Chon Buri shared one case each. Bangkok and Kanchanaburi hence were classified in the dangerous zone for rabies spread.

Meanwhile, Disease Control Department Director-General, MD Manit Teeratantikanont, warned people about raising dogs aged less than three months old, especially stray puppies because they might be infected with rabies but did not show symptoms.

MD Manit explained that some dogs showed symptoms of infection within one to two months but it could be prolonged to even six months for some.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Thais are planning to stage a world-class fashion show at Ratchaprasong in Oct\Nov featuring int models /via @RichardBarrow: RT @LuxuryClubTH

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Public Health Ministry warns of rabies spread

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Thai government readjusts feng shui for more luck, prosperity

BANGKOK (TNA) -- The Thai government has readjusted its feng shui at Government House according to Chinese cosmological understandings to enhance luck and prosperity as well as to create peacefulness.

Six potted plants of one species were placed on the lawn in front of the Thai Ku Fah Building, opposite its entrance, where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva enters the Government House compound.

The placement of plants there is believed to avoid and drive away bad luck. It is also believed the bright colours of the plants, yellow and green, are to enhance luck and prosperity and to create unity as well as bringing out the honest and boost charisma.

The feng shui at Government House had previously been adjusted once, according to the government's past problems. A Happy Buddha was invited on the rooftop above the prime

minister's office and round marbles were decorated at several spots of the Thai Ku Fah building to fend off bad luck and enhance good luck and prosperity.

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics which applies the laws of astronomy and geography (or heaven and earth) to decorate the homes and offices of its believers in

order to help them improve their lives and living conditions as well as to avoid and eliminate bad luck.

In 2008 several thousand 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy protesters occupied Government House compound for six months in order to oust the then Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat governments, branded by the movement as proxies of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

PAD protesters occupying Government House were impacted by a number of small explosions, injuring many demonstrators and security volunteers.

Major casualties occurred in November 2008 when one protester was killed and 22 others wounded at after an apparent M79 grenade attack at the Yellow-Shirt encampment.

The long-standing occupation of Thailand's seat of government was lifted in early December 2008 when the protesters moved to rally at the country's two main airports to pressure the Somchai government.

Despite the end of the Yellow Shirt demonstrations, the rival United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the Red Shirts often took their protests to Government House demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the parliament.

The Red Shirt protesters also poured blood collected from UDD supporters at an entrance gate of Government House as a symbolic protest in March 2010.

But some believe the UDD blood-pouring ceremony was the matter of superstition and the 'black arts' to magically bring about a Red Shirt victory. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-21

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Police arrest 60 migrant workers in Songkhla

HAT YAI (TNA) -- Police here detained 60 illegal foreign migrant labourers in Hat Yai district of Thailand's southern border province of Songkhla over the weekend.

The raid was aimed at a housing area in Hat Yai municipality after a report that it was sheltering numerous illegal migrant workers, Pol. Col Prabpal Meemongkhol, deputy commander of the Provincial Police Region 9 investigation division.

More than 60 foreign workers, mostly Myanmar nationals, were detained.

According to police, the workers illegally entered Thailand through Ranong with help of Thai brokers, who later sent them to their employers. The

workers will be deported to their countries.

Statistics from the Foreign Labour Protection Division of the Ministry of Labour said that legal action was taken against 46 employers and 2,251 illegal foreign

workers in May. Most of the arrested illegal migrant workers in that reporting period -- 1,511 were Cambodians, followed by 530 Myanmar nationals and 188 Lao.

During the eight months from October 2009 through May this year, legal action was taken against 599 employers and 16,015 illegal migrant workers including 7,031 Myanmar nationals, 6,149 Cambodians and 1,668 Lao. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-21

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Thai Poet Invites Thais to Express Feelings on Recent Unrest in Literature

Navarat Pongpaibul, a well-known Thai poet has invited everyone to express their feelings about the recent political unrest through works of literature and poems.

May 19, 2010 is considered one of Thailand's darkest chapters as the country was set alight by the riots. Even though it has been more than a month since the incident, Thai people have not yet fully healed from the tragedy.

Because of this, Navarat Pongpaibul, a popular Thai poet, has invited all writers and poets to visit the sites of the violence and express their feeling through literature and poems.

The prominent poet says that the tragedy has left a deep scar on all Thai people's hearts.

As a poet who has witnessed many political tragedies in the past, he would like to invite everyone to express their feelings in the form of a poem, as a memorial of the incident.

Selected works will be performed live at an exhibition scheduled for July 23, which will also be attended my many famous authors and poets.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-21

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Royal Rainmaking Proven Successful

The royal rainmaking project has proven successful as many dams are seeing higher water levels.

After the implementation of several royal rainmaking projects, water levels in many dams are beginning to rise.

At the Pasakchonlasit Dam in Lopburi province, it has been reported that around 400,000 cubic meters of water flowed into the area after more rainfall on June 19.

In the northeastern province of Konkaen, the Ubonrat Dam has reportedly gained an additional 170,000 cubic meters of water following recent rains in nearby provinces such has Chaiyaphum and Nongbualamphu provinces.

In addition, the water level of Bhumibol Dam in the western province of Tak, has reportedly increased by 1.2 million cubic meters, while the Sirikit Dam in Utaradit province has reportedly gained as much as six million cubic meters of water.

However, low rainfall was reported in the northern region, especially in the Ping River and Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai province.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-21

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Suthep says state of emergency cannot be lifted for now

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday that the state of emergency cannot be lifted now because red-shirt people in the country and abroad are still trying to cause turbulence.

He said the state of emergency needs to be retained for the sake of public safety and order.

"The same old movement is still planning to cause turbulence. Both local people and those living abroad of the movement are still planning to do so," Suthep said.

He said when police and the military are confident that there will be no more trouble, the government will lift the state of emergency.

"It won't be long for that," Suthep added.

-- The Nation 2010-06-21

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Democrat suspects nomination of Nattawut in by-election

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The ruling Democrat Party has voiced suspicion over the possible nomination of Secretary-General of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), Nattawut Saikua, to contest in the 25 July by-election under the Puea Thai camp.

Spokesperson to the Democrat Party Leader, Thepthai Senpong, deemed the idea to nominate Mr Nattawut in the upcoming by-election just a political game to pressure the court to release the UDD secretary-general from the detention.

Mr Nattawut has been detained for terrorism charge in Bangkok Remand Prison. The initiative was disclosed earlier by Puea Thai MP and UDD Deputy Chairperson, Jatuporn Prompan.

Mr Thepthai elaborated that according to the regulation, Mr Nattawut must register for the election himself. He said the court therefore would be forced to release Mr Nattawut; otherwise, it would be accused of having double standards.

The spokesperson hence challenged Mr Jatuporn to resign from his MP post and be a candidate of the opposition Puea Thai Party in the by-election himself instead of Mr Nattawut if he was really confident in the popularity of the anti-government UDD group supporters in areas and could win in the election.

The by-election will be held on 25 July 2010 to fill in the MP post for Bangkok constituency 6, which was left vacant after Democrat MP, Tiva Ngernyuang, passed away due to cancer.

-- NNT 2010-06-21

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Chiang Mai Hotels Hit Hard By Politics

Chiang Mai Hotels Hit Hard By Politics - Thailand Forum

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Swedish man dies in Phuket stairwell fall

Swedish Man Dies In Phuket Stairwell Fall - Thailand Forum

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113 terrorism, emergency decree breachers in custody, 300 at large

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's Ministry of Justice on Monday said 113 persons charged with or suspected of terrorism, and infringing upon or breaching the government's State of Emergency decree are currently in police custody, while another 321 remain at large since the the nearly three-month anti-government Red Shirt protest ended last month.

Some 155 cases connected with political unrest are considered special cases under the supervision of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the ministry said.

Three key figures in the prosecution held a joint press conference on the legal procedures involved and help for protest-affected victims Tuesday: Secretary to the Justice Minister Fuengwit Anirutdeva, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit, and Rights and Liberties Protection Department deputy chief Pasit Asawawattanaporn.

The 10-week long demonstrations of the anti-government Red Shirts turned violent and ended with grenade attacks, gunfire and arsons during army operation to seal off the main protest site at Ratchaprasong on May 19. Altogether, 89 people were killed and nearly 1,900 were wounded during confrontations between troops and Red Shirts.

Colonel Fuengwit said 155 special cases are now under investigation, with 482 people accused. Among them 161 were arrested and some have been released on bail while 321 are still at large.

Four cases have been concluded and forwarded to prosecutors, said Col Fuengwit, while the detainees are being held separately in three prisons; 67 at Bangkok Remand Prison, 37 at Klong Prem Central Prison and nine at the Central Women's Correctional Institution.

Col Fuengwit said the Justice Minister will set up a special team to track and arrest the remaining suspects.

As directed by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), DSI chief Tharit reported the agency worked with the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Revenue Department verifying financial transactions of those suspected of financing the Red Shirt movement.

Unusual transactions by 83 people and businesses were found by DSI which will forward the details by Monday evening of the name list for CRES approval to summon them to report for questioning and clarification, Mr Tharit said.

The DSI chief said his agency has set up eight working committees to investigate the suspects beginning Monday June 28, adding that it will take 60 days to complete the case.

He however reiterated that the 83 persons and are not yet considered as being accused, but only as "persons with unusual financial transactions."

For the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, Mr Pasit said an operations centre for the emergency situation has been set up to serve members of the public affected by the protests round the clock.

Fifty-three victims and criminal offenders have already applied for financial assistance and eight applications have already been approved. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-06-21