Thailand Live Thursday 24 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 24 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 23 June 2010

Thailand Live Wednesday 23 Jun 2010 - Thailand Forum

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Thailand could hold elections in early 2011: minister

BRUSSELS (AFP) -- Thailand could hold elections in early 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in Brussels Wednesday, in the wake of bloody opposition protests.

Independent bodies examining a raft of reforms could present their conclusions by the end of the year, paving the way for a referendum on a new constitution at the start of 2011, Kasit said at a policy forum in Brussels.

"I guess that by spring we should have elections and a new government formed by the middle of next year under a new constitution amended, constitution approved by the people at the referendum," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva originally proposed November polls in a bid to end crippling protests in Bangkok by the "Red Shirts" movement, but shelved the plan because demonstrators refused to disperse until the army moved in.

The Reds' rally was broken up on May 19 in an army crackdown on their vast camp in the heart of Bangkok. A series of violent clashes and the final military assault left 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured.

The protesters were campaigning for elections they hoped would oust the government, which they view as undemocratic because it came to power with the backing of the army after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.

Most of the Red Shirt leaders are in jail or wanted on terrorism charges for their roles in the two-month-long mass rally.

Kasit insisted that the government was not seeking revenge against the opposition protesters.

"We are a government that observes the rule of law," he said, adding: "There is no discrimination, there is no vendetta."

The Thai foreign minister also defended the formation of a committee that will examine reform of the media, which he accused of being "instruments of the political fight."

"A lot of journalists, directors of the media were on the payroll on the two sides of the political divide in the Thai society," he said.

"Media reform is for the good of everyone, not for the control or the suppression of the media freedom," Kasit said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-06-24

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Drought Devastates Crops and Agriculture

The widespread drought crisis continues to devastate provinces and the country's agricultural industry.

Delayed rain showers and the continuing drought in Surin province are having serious effects on grade-A jasmine rice crops particularly in Sanom, Jompra, Kawow-sinnarin and Muang districts.

The fishing community has also been affected and fishermen have suspended their tilapia fish farms. Local farmer Saman Charoensook explained that water levels in the Umpeul reservoir have dropped considerably.

Increased heat has raised the temperature of the remaining water and has consequently killed the fish. He also said this is the first time the drought has caused so much damage to fish farms.

Buriram agricultural official Somboon Sarum has warned cassava farmers to be on a look out for another possible crop pandemic.

240,000 rai from a total of 280,000 rai of farmland in 11 districts have been affected by a crop disease. The area has been declared a crisis area and the government has granted 16 million baht in aid.

In Petchaboon province, more than 200 farmers from Beungsampan and Wichienburi districts submitted a letter to Governor Tawatchai Terdpaothai, requesting assistance from the artificial rain making project under royal patronage as their corn crops are in dire need of water and irrigation.

The Petchaboon governor promised the farmers he will notify the Agriculture Ministry and urge officials to start their operations within next week.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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BOMB ATTACK

Warrant for man behind blast at Bhum Jai Thai HQ

By THE NATION

Published on June 24, 2010

Police yesterday identified the man allegedly behind the gas-cylinder explosion near the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters on Tuesday - an incident the National Security Council says was politically motivated and might result in the state of emergency being extended.

A warrant for his arrest is expected to be issued in a day or two, according to Police Maj Gen Saroj Phromcharoen, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Division 2. "Kamphol is now in hiding in an eastern province. The investigators are going after him," he said, referring to the man suspected of being behind the plot. The suspect's surname was not disclosed by police.

Deputy Bangkok police chief Maj-General Jakthip Chaijinda said fruit vendor Anek Singkhunthod, who was hired to place the pushcart carrying the gas cylinder outside the party's offices, implicated a man called Kamphol. Police are currently questioning Kamphol's wife, who is refusing to provide details of his whereabouts.

"The man has been moving around, and now police believe he might be in the Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaew province, which borders Cambodia," Jakthip said.

The officer said Kamphol had provided Anek with a mobile fruit stall, which carried the gas cylinder, reinforced with TNT explosives and petrol. He added that police did not have any details about who might have hired Kamphol to carry out the attack.

NSC secretary-general Thawil Pliensri said evidence indicated the bomb attack was politically motivated and could be used as a reason to extend the state of emergency, which is scheduled to end on July 7. "We will give it much weight when considering the extension of emergency rule," he added.

He also dismissed speculation the blast was engineered by officials because they wanted the emergency to be extended.

As a result of the bomb attack, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, has ordered that security be heightened at all government buildings, political party headquarters and certain locations considered to be political landmarks.

Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP, described the police statement about the attack as a joke, saying the police force was dancing along with the government in order to extend the state of emergency.

He said certain "watermelon" soldiers had told him that a 20-strong force had been added to the Army's clandestine unit of Taskforce 90 for some reason, and accused the government of trying to carry out operations to "further oppress the people".

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Tonnes of illicit drugs to be burnt in Ayutthaya

By The Nation

Tomorrow 5.69 tonnes of illicit drugs worth about Bt6.16 billion will go up in smoke in Ayutthaya to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on Saturday.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said yesterday that the drugs of various types were seized in suppression operations and all the cases have been closed. The event is the 38th in the country.

To be destroyed are 1,800 kilograms (about 20.21 million tablets) of methamphetamine, 213.97kg of heroin, 13.2kg (54,881 tablets) of ecstasy, 1.19kg of cocaine, 129.41kg of opium, 166.32kg of codeine and 6.51kg of marijuana, combined with 3,231kg of marijuana brought in by the Narcotics Suppression Police.

The drugs will be burned in a pyrolytic incinerator, which causes no air pollution, at the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Help sought for student nurses caught in programme collapse

By Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation

Parliament's Committee for Labour yesterday arranged for agencies to help students affected by the Nakhon Ratchasima College's Faculty of Nursing study programme which has failed to meet the Thailand Nursing Council's standards.

The programme's problems mean some students must repeat their studies, others cannot receive licences allowing them to practise nursing.

The committee, chaired by Pheu Thai MP Sumet Ritthakhanee, yesterday invited representatives of the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC), the Student Loan Fund (SLF), the affected students and alumni to discuss the situation.

A former third-year student Amporn Thuithaisong said that although OHEC had arranged new study places for the affected students, second to fourth year students must start studying all over again.

Amporn has asked the authority to allow them to transfer study credits or to get additional training so they won't need to retake courses and spend more on tuition fees. She also pointed out that the SLF only allows loans for a four-year period, meaning many students will not find funding for their repeated study programme. There are 230 students and 63 alumni affected by the issue.

OHEC legal officer Supat Boonsong said the commission usually required a college or university to open a new study programme on a trial basis for 3-4 years before evaluation. In this case the college programme had failed. OHEC was arranging for some second to fourth year students to study at other institutes, while compensation and procedures were being worked out.

SLF assistant manager Sermkiat Tassanasuwan said the study programme's failure to obtain approval was not the students' fault and the SLF could offer them more loans. He said students could also for a refund of tuition fees from the college.

Sermkiat said the programme should not be closed. OHEC could provide teaching staff and supervise the private institute, but certification of the programme was still uncertain.

Sumet said the committee agreed the programme should not be closed. He would contact the Parliament's Committee for Education and Committee for Public Health to probe the case further and explain to the Committee for Labour about compensation for affected students. He would also ask the Thailand Nursing Council representative to supervise study programmes for students.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Arrests uncover heroin, pills, guns

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Metropolitan Police yesterday announced three illegal drug busts - including apprehension of a Pakistani man allegedly trying to smuggle 450 grams of heroin at Bangkok's Southern Route Bus Terminal, and the arrest of a 19-year-old Thai man they say was found with 76,000 tablets of ya ba in Lat Phrao.

City police chief Pol Lt-General Santhan Chayanon said Pakistani suspect Asghar Manzoor, 25, travelled by bus from Phuket with the drug tightly packed and ready for transportation outside the country.

Following a tip-off, Choke Chai police nabbed 19-year-old Krisada Phromkal and girlfriend Warathaya Thongkhamsirikul at their Lat Phrao home along with the 76,000 ya ba tablets. Krisada allegedly confessed he was hired by a Suphan Buri man to hold the drug at Bt1,000 per pack, and he had done this seven times before.

The third drug bust saw two drug dealers arrested by Nimitmai police. The suspects were; Khaneung Rodrat, 28, with 200 ya ba tablets, a pistol and bullets in his possession; and Nares Khummoung, 34, with 1,490 ya ba tablets, a shotgun and seven rounds of ammunition.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Thieves prefer Toyota cars, Honda bikes

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Toyota is the most stolen motor vehicle in Bangkok, while Honda tops the motorycycle list, according to police auto theft records for last year.

A total of 414 Toyota sedans and pick-up trucks were reported stolen in 2009, while 3,278 Honda motorcycles disappeared from Bangkok metropolitan, said chief anti-auto theft officer Pol Maj-General Sumeth Ruengsawas.

The motor vehicles most stolen in respective order last year were Isuzu (329) and Honda (166) while the missing motorcycle brands after Honda are Yamaha (2,787) and Suzuki (82).

The number of stolen vehicles retrieved last year was 31 from 540 sedans (5.7 per cent), 17 from 648 pickups (2.6 per cent) and 344 from 6,505 motorcycles (5.8 per cent). None of 17 vans stolen has been found.

The number of stolen vehicles in the first three months this year are fewer than for the same period last year: 80 fewer cars, 29 fewer pickups, two fewer vans, and 439 fewer motorcycles, the officer said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Thai Farmers Left Praying For Rain Year After Year

Thai Farmers Left Praying For Rain Year After Year - Thailand Forum

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Anand Panel Must Go Beyond Abhisit And Thaksin

OPINION - By Suthichai Yoon

Anand Panel Must Go Beyond Abhisit And Thaksin - Thailand Forum

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Thaksin lawyers launch PR attack against govt

Thaksin Lawyer Slams Phony Thai Reconciliation - Thailand Forum

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Mystery of dad's death solved

By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- After seeking information from many resources about her father's death during the armed skirmish at Rajprarop Road on May 15, Monchaya Phonsrila has finally found an eyewitness who can tell her exactly how he died.

"I really wanted to know how he died and what happened to him," the 25-year-old Air Force officer said.

She said her father was present during the skirmish at Rajprarop Road, but could not be contacted after 3pm. However, it was only the next morning, when her mother bought a local newspaper, that she learned about his death.

The frontpage report said her father had been severely injured and taken away from the battle zone by two men. The report though did not explain how her father had died. So, she started scouring the Internet to find information and finally came upon a video clip showing the May 15 skirmish.

This video clip showed her father and fellow protesters hiding behind a barricade built from tyres in front of a Shell petrol station near Soi Rang Nam. The clip captured her father being shot, but it did not show him dying.

"When I saw the clip I was quite sure that my father would not have survived because he was caught in the firing zone," Monchaya said. "But I still had to know how he died."

On May 18, she began the search for her father's body by visiting all hospitals around the Rajprarop area. Finally she found him at Ramathibodhi Hospital, where an autopsy had been performed.

Autopsy results showed that her father had been shot in the abdomen and then drowned. This piece of information surprised Monchaya, but luckily she found the truth when she met Nick Nostitz, a German photographer who has lived and worked in Bangkok since 1993.

Nostitz told her that on May 15 he had gone to the Din Daeng-Rajprarop junction to observe the protesters and had spotted Monchaya's father. He was one of the people setting up a barricade in front of the petrol station near Soi Rang Nam. The cameraman positioned himself at the petrol station and a few minutes later, saw a small group of protesters caught on the other side as bullets started whizzing past.

Monchaya's father was the first to be shot - he was hit in the stomach. Some protesters tried to escape by running across the road, while others tried to throw a rope over the barricade to pull the injured to safety.

Meanwhile, Nostitz ran to the toilet at the back of the petrol station and found a group of injured people there. Monchaya's father had been brought here, and the photographer took some pictures before jumping over a wall and landing in someone's garden.

He later saw the injured being helped over the wall, and caught sight of Monchaya's father slip into a small artificial pond.

Then soldiers were spotted scaling the wall, and one of them ordered Nostitz to pull Monchaya's father out of the pond. While Nostitz was trying to help the injured man, he heard a weak voice saying he couldn't take it any more. Monchaya's father slipped back into the pool once again, and a soldier had to help Nostitz pull him out again.

Nostitz said one of the soldiers then ordered him to look after the injured man, but he said he didn't know how because Monchaya's father had really bad injuries. The photographer then saw Monchaya's father being carried out of the private compound on a stretcher.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Red Shirt Lawyers to Ask for Korkaew's Release on Jun 28

Red shirt lawyers reveal that they will ask the court for the release of red shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong on June 28, when an immediate deliberation by the court will be requested. Yesterday, the opposition Pheu Thai Party decided to field the incarcerated red shirt leader in the by-election for Bangkok's Constituency 6.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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Stay Tuned for Media Reform in Thailand

Stay Tuned For Media Reform In Thailand - Thailand Forum

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Kanit confident to finalize selection of his fact-finding team by 6 Jul

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prof Dr Kanit Na Nakorn has voiced his confidence that he would be able to come up with a complete list of members of the independent fact-finding panel to probe the violence during the rally of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) after 6 July 2010.

Prof Dr Kanit believed that the operational framework of his panel would be seen clearer after it was fully formed and a public hearing was arranged to get opinions from related sides. He expected that he would have the list of panel members after 6 July 2010.

The announcement was made after Prof Dr Kanit on Wednesday met with Permanent Secretary for Justice Kittipong Kittayarak, Human Rights Watch Representative to Thailand Sunai Phasuk, and Head of the Mirror Foundation's Anti-Human Trafficking Center Ekalak Loomchomkhae.

Prof Dr Kanit, as the panel chairperson, admitted that his mission to create reconciliation was difficult because the panel must gain recognition from the public both toward individual panel members and the organization as a whole.

Human Rights Watch Representative Sunai Phasuk expressed his readiness to support the operation of the panel to bring the truth to light. He said the Human Rights Watch had also set up its committee to investigate the issue and would work in parallel with the government by collecting first-hand information on the scene. He said checking of information was the first step towards reconciliation.

Meanwhile, Anti-Human Trafficking Center chief Ekalak said that there were 35 people missing during the rally. He said relatives of those missing people believed that all the cases were linked to politics and wanted the cases probed urgently or else hatred would build up.

The network head suggested an appointment of another sub-committee to specifically investigate the missing people cases.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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Authorities Defuse 4 Bombs in Udon Thani

Authorities were able to defuse four bombs planted at a phone booth in Udon Thani province.

They believe that, with the size of the bombs, the perpetrators aimed to cause widespread damage.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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Authorities Defuse 4 Bombs in Udon Thani

Dr. Kanit confident to finalize selection of his fact-finding team by 6 July

Deputy PM Suthep visiting South; says police have clue on person behind bombing near Bhumjaithai Party HQ /via @MCOTEnglishnews

Stay tuned for Media Reform in Thailand: Stay Tuned For Media Reform In Thailand - Thailand Forum

Red Shirt Lawyers to Ask for Korkaew's Release on Jun 28

Mystery of dad's death solved

Thai farmers left praying for rain year after year: Thai Farmers Left Praying For Rain Year After Year - Thailand Forum

Thaksin lawyers launch PR attack against Thai govt: Thaksin Lawyer Slams Phony Thai Reconciliation - Thailand Forum

Anand Panel must go beyond Abhisit and Thaksin: Anand Panel Must Go Beyond Abhisit And Thaksin - Thailand Forum

Thieves prefer Toyota cars, Honda bikes

Arrests uncover heroin, pills, guns

Help sought for student nurses caught in program collapse

Tonnes of illicit drugs to be burnt in Ayutthaya

Warrant for man behind blast at Bhum Jai Thai HQ

Drought Devastates Crops and Agriculture

Thailand could hold elections in early 2011

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TAT gears for a major meeting to boost tourism

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will hold a major meeting with its international and domestic offices to initiate plans to restore the tourism sector, before meeting with the private sector.

According to TAT Govenor, Surapol Sawetseranee, the meeting will cover marketing strategies and a restoration campaign, taking into consideration the emergency decree still implemented, Mr Surapon said. The TAT governor added that another issue to take into consideration is the Euro zone debt crisis that has scaled down European tourists traveling into Thailand.

The meeting with the private sector will commence on 5 July 2010.

Meanwhile, following the recent strengthened Chinese currency, more Chinese tourists are expected to travel in the Asian region, particularly to Thailand, due to the increased purchasing power, Mr Surapol said.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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New Politics Might Field Suriyasai Katasila in By-Election

The New Politics Party, or NPSP, could possibly decide to field Acting Secretary General Suriyasai Katasila in the by-election for Bangkok Constituency 6. The idea was suggested by Senator Kamnoon Sittisamarn after top choice Sarunyoo Wongkrajang declined to run.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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Murdered Woman'S Corpse Found On Phuket Roadside

Murdered Woman'S Corpse Found On Phuket Roadside - Thailand Forum

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Environment Ministry to boost water efficiency to solve drought, flood

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Cabinet recently endorsed 917 million THB budget to help solve problems of drought and flood as well as implement efficient water utilization to grow crops, according to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suwit Khunkitti.

Mr Suwit detailed that a study was conducted under the projects of the Khong River, Chi River and Moon River. A survey was also conducted in 67 provinces in order to find ways to improve the water source. The survey has also helped the ministry determine the most efficient ways to link the water system in order for it to be disseminated based on the appropriateness of each location, Mr Suwit said.

Meanwhile,the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has established a network of drought stricken areas in 19 locations to facilitate aid. The DWR has also cooperated with the Royal Irrigation Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to manage water as well as integrate 11 water projects to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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BMA assigns officers to maintain order in Sanam Luang

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has assigned police and municipal officers to maintain order at Sanam Luang, which will undergo renovation on 29 June 2010.

Officers have been deployed to prevent vendors and sellers in the area, according to Deputy BMA Governor, Theerachon Manomaipiboon, adding that violators will face legal action.

The Department of Civil Engineering will be assigned to conduct checks on the site next week before transferring it to the Royal Thai Army's first development division to improve the landscape on 29 June 2010. The renovation is set to be completed in 300 days, before it could be fully be utilized by the public.

More than 700 vendors usually stationed in Sanam Luang have moved to Khlong Muang Derm, space allocated by BMA. For vendors around the Sanam Luang area, the BMA has also prepared a temporary space in Trok Satien and Trok Sake from today. In a related development, the metropolitan police will cooperate in order to review and implement parking policies of Sanam Luang.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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US Court Indicts Paedophile Imprisoned in Thailand

US Court Indicts Paedophile Imprisoned In Thailand - Thailand Forum

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House speaker dismisses bombing own party HQ to extend Emergency Decree

BANGKOK (NNT) -- House Speaker and Bhumjaithai core member, Chai Chidchob, has dismissed allegations of plotting an explosion in front of the head office of his own party in a bid to extend the state of emergency imposition.

The house speaker dismissed the speculation that the government or his own party engineered the recent explosion in a bid to keep the state of emergency in effect. He strongly expressed that no one would dare trade anything or risk oneself with death.

Mr Chai however noted that the explosion would have no effect to the standpoint of his own party. He said he had talked about the explosion with his son, Newin Chidchob, who also stressed that the coalition Bhumjaithai Party would move forward under its political stance.

The house speaker also ordered stricter security measures at the entry and exit of the Parliament, especially for all vehicles and barrows.

A gas tank exploded in front of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party head office at Soi Phaholyothin 43 on Tuesday. A fruit vendor was arrested as the suspect.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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Bangkok: Bank of Thailand steps in to check Baht rise: Bank Of Thailand Steps In To Check Baht Rise - Thailand Forum 15 minutes ago via Seesmic

'I hate it when I'm at a vuvuzela concert and people start playing football!' /via @vaitor

US Court Indicts Paedophile Imprisoned In Thailand: US Court Indicts Paedophile Imprisoned In Thailand - Thailand Forum

BMA assigns officers to maintain order in Sanam Luang

Environment Ministry to boost water efficiency to solve drought, flood

Ford to build $450mil car plant in Rayong w annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles; up to 2,200 to be employed about /via @MCOTEnglishnews

Murdered woman's corpse found on Phuket roadside: Murdered Woman'S Corpse Found On Phuket Roadside - Thailand Forum

New Politics might field Suriyasai Katasila in by-election

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) gears for a major meeting to boost tourism

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Corrections Dept ready to free Korkaew

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Corrections Department will immediately release a core leader of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, if the court orders.

Corrections Department Director-General, Chartchai Sutthiklom, ensured readiness of the department to free the UDD core figure to participate in the 25 July by-election in Bangkok’s constituency 6.

The opposition Puea Thai Party on 23 June 2010 resolved to field Mr Korkaew to contest a parliamentary seat in the by-election which was left vacant after Democrat MP, Tiva Ngernyuang, passed away due to cancer.

Meanwhile, UDD lawyer, Karom Poltaklang, this morning travelled to the Criminal Court to lodge a petition requesting the release of Mr Korkaew.

Mr Korkaew and five other UDD core leaders, including MD Weng Tojirakarn, Mr Viputhalaeng Pattanaphumthai, Mr Yosawarit Chuklom (Jeng Dokjik), Mr Am-nart Intrachote, and Mr Kwanchai Praipanahave, have been detained in Khlong Prem Prison.

Earlier, the Puea Thai Party planned to send UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua, to compete in the by-election; however, the decision was changed because Mr Nattawut could not meet all the criteria for the by-election.

-- NNT 2010-06-24

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Defence Minister Voices Concern over Bangkok By-Election

The defence minister has demanded that security measures be stepped up to maintain peace during the upcoming by-election in Bangkok. Meanwhile, he says the Emergency Decree can be abolished once the political situation remains calm.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has voiced concern over security during the by-election in Bangkok's constituency 6. He added he has ordered security to be tightened.

In a separate matter, the minister stated that lifting the Emergency Decree will depend on the political climate. If the situation remains stable, he is confident the decree will be revoked.

As for red-shirt leaders who are still at large, police are responsible for the search and arrests.

When asked about yesterday's meeting involving security affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the minister explained that the session was a regular meeting aimed to outline policies as the Defence Ministry always does.

He added that a meeting at the Defence Ministry today will discuss a venue for reconciliation efforts to support the government's policies relating to the proposed peace plan, protection of the Monarchy, and anti-drought measures introduced by His Majesty the King.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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Court grants bail for red shirt leader to apply to run in election

Court grant bail for red shirt leader Kokaew Pikunthong detained for terrorism charge so that he could apply to run in the by election next month.

Kokaew is scheduled to apply to run in the poll Monday next week.

The court said corrections officials will escort Kokaew to the registration venue. After he applied, the officials will escort him back to the prison.

The department will decide the outfit of Koekaew on that day, the court said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-24

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Probe into Red-Shirt Leader Murder Still Ongoing

There seems to be no progress in the probe into the murder of a Nakhon Ratchasima red-shirt leader but the authorities have pledged to speed up the investigation.

Provincial Police Bureau 3 Commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsompop spoke of the progress into the investigation of the murder of Saknarin Kongkaew, a red-shirt leader in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

He said witness interrogations are ongoing and investigators have not yet ruled out any motives as irrelevant to the case.

The officer stated that police have a picture of a car captured by a security camera, which is believed to belong to the gunman. He asked the public to report to police if they have any information.

In another development, Police Lieutenant General Dechawat said he has ordered Nakhon Ratchasima police to run a detailed background check on Anek Singkunthod, the bomber of the Bhum Jai Thai Party head office.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24

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Democrat Party Skeptical of Chalerm's Remarks on Thaicom Share Price

The Democrat Party spokesperson claims the Pheu Thai Party MP chairman's accusation of speculation and manipulation of Thaicom's share price is groundless.

Spokesperson for the Democrat Party, Buranutch Samuttarak called the comments on the recent surge in Thaicom's share price by Pheu Thai Party MP Chairman Chalerm Yoobamrung 'big lies'.

He said it is too far-fetched that someone could have gained billions of baht in profit from the sale of Thaicom shares, as claimed by Chalerm.

Buranutch added that Chalerm has shown a lack of understanding of fundamental legal concepts by alleging that 95 per cent of Thaicom shares are held by Thai shareholders.

He noted that the proportion of shareholding in Thaicom is linked to the case of Kularb Kaew Company, which is already interpreted as a proxy for a foreign-owned company.

The Democrat spokesman also called on the Pheu Thai Party to stop giving the initials of individuals who have allegedly profited from insider trading of Thaicom shares, saying it could mislead the public.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-24