Thailand Live Wednesday 30 Jun 2010

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Thailand Live Wednesday 30 June 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Related topic: Thailand Live Tuesday 29 June 2010

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Unabated unrest blamed on Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- The Democrat Party leader's spokesman accuses ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra of being the mastermind behind the unrest which continues unabated in the country.

Spokesman to the Democrat Party leader, Thepthai Senapong, spoke of recent violent incidents, including the rocket attack at a fuel depot of the Royal Thai Army's Quartermaster Department in Nonthaburi and the bomb attack at the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters.

He alleged red-shirt members, who have undergone specialized training for use of weapons, were responsible for the incidents.

He continued that the movement is backed by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who keeps stirring up unrest via media agencies and lobbyist companies.

Thepthai suggested the government keep a close watch on military officers who have close ties to the ousted premier.

Meanwhile, opposition Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit claimed a general, whose name starts with "P," is behind the grenade attack at the Royal Thai Army's Quartermaster Department.

Prompong said the one he mentioned ordered another general, whose name also starts with "P," to stage the incident with an aim to extend the state of emergency enforcement.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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TAT launching campaigns to raise number of Arabian tourists to Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Dubai and Middle East Office predicts the rise by 15% for Arabian tourists to Thailand in 2011, while the TAT marketing plan is to promote new destinations in Thailand in those markets.

Director of the TAT Dubai and Middle East Office, Pramot Sapyen cited that the TAT had planned to stimulate the market in 2011 by arranging a project called “Thailand Summer Special Offer”, participated by five touring companies, with the support of Siam Niramit, a producer of world-class performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. Tourists from Middle East will get free 1,000 tickets to the shows and 4,000 of 20% discount coupons. This project has been launched in Abu Dhabi of UAE as the first place.

Another project is the medical tourism road shows which will be launched in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. Several leading hospitals in Thailand will join in the road shows as well including Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok Hospital and Piyavate Hospital. These two projects cost around 15 million THB.

Mr Pramot added that most destinations of Arabian tourists were Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. The TAT aims to promote other places such as Hua Hin, Cha-am and Chiang Mai among them. He said that in 2011 the number of Arabians visiting Thailand would rise by 15%, as Middle East market was likely to recover quicker than others.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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2011-2020 announced as Road Safety decade

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Government announces B.E. 2554-2563 (2011-2020) as the Decade of Action for Road Safety in line with the Moscow Declaration.

According to the Deputy Government Spokesperson, Supachai Jaisamut, the Cabinet has resolved to announce the years 2011-2020 as the decade for road safety, as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban in his capacity as Chairman of the Road Safety Center (RSC).

The RSE is tasked to adopt the Road Safety Action Plan 2011-2020 based on the framework for road safety action (Moscow Declaration), which was adopted at the Moscow Conference.

The plan has targeted to reduce road traffic injuries to less than 10 deaths per 100,000 populations by the year 2020.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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HEALTH

Bt6bn medical centre approved for Bang Phli next year

By The Nation

The Cabinet yesterday approved a plan to set up a 400-bed medical facility in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district.

The construction will cost about Bt6 billion, half of which will be paid by the government. The Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital will shoulder the remaining cost.

"The plan will boost the Ramathibodi Hospital's capacity," Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said.

Designed to honour His Majesty the King's 84th birthday anniversary, the plan will see the start of construction of the new medical facility next year.

Prof Dr Rajata Rajatanavin, dean of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, said his institute had planned to develop a medical centre in Bang Phli district to accommodate the medical needs of people in this industrial zone as well as in nearby provinces.

The new medical centre will be constructed over 292 rai of land.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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TERROR SUSPECT

Court sees no grounds to free Kokaew

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court yesterday rejected red-shirt leader Kokaew Pikulthong's request to be released temporarily to deal with paperwork regarding his campaign. Kokaew is Pheu Thai Party's candidate for the July 25 by-election for Bangkok's Constituency 6.

His lawyer Karom Polthaklang, who submitted the request, told reporters the candidate had until tomorrow to submit details about his new bank account to the Election Commission. The bank account would record the candidate's expenditure during the campaign, the legal limit for which is Bt1.5 million.

According to the court, since the law empowers the candidate to appoint an accountant to deal with the bank account, there are no grounds for temporary release, the lawyer said. He added that he would arrange for bank officials to open a new account for Kokaew today.

Kokaew is under remand at Klong Prem Prison, along with other red-shirt leaders on charges of terrorism in connection with the recent political unrest.

The lawyer said yesterday he would wait for further instructions from the Pheu Thai Party on whether to seek Kokaew's release for election campaigning.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeals yesterday turned down an earlier request for the temporary release of other red-shirt leaders in remand. The court argued that since their offences carried severe penalties, such as capital punishment, they could escape if granted bail.

Karom said he would today file a request with the Corrections Department director-general to have the 11 detainees moved to the same zone at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

The lawyer quoted Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, one of the detained red-shirt leaders, as saying they had been put in separate zones in two different prisons.

"I see that as inappropriate," the lawyer added.

Meanwhile, on Friday the Criminal Court is scheduled to hear a request from red-shirt leader Sombat Boonngam-anong for release from police detention.

Sombat was arrested on Saturday while performing a ritual at Rajprasong intersection in memory of those killed during the May 19 crackdown. A suspected violator of the emergency decree, he is being detained at the Border Patrol Police headquarters in Pathum Thani.

His lawyer Anon Khampha said yesterday the court had agreed to hear Sombat's testimony through videoconferencing on Friday morning.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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GOOGLE

15-year-old Thai student's doodle wins big with Google

By Asina Pornwasin

The Nation

Therdthanawa Kanama, a student from Maha Sarakham province, won hands down in Thailand's first Doodle 4 Google competition.

The 15-year-old boy, from Sathit Maha Sarakham School, beat more than 46,000 other submissions with his doodle of a Royal Barge.

The doodle will be visible on the Google Thailand homepage for 24 hours on Her Majesty the Queen's birthday on August 12.

Therdthanawa said the royal barge Suphannahongse, which serves His Majesty the King in various royal ceremonies, was his inspiration.

The image of the barge's reflection exemplifies the value of traditional craftsmanship, culture and history, he said, adding that he had used the colour gold because it stood for prosperity.

Michael Lopez, a Google doodler and judge for the competition, said he was delighted to see the work of talented young students who imbued their doodles with everything that was unique and beautiful about the Kingdom.

"Therdthanawa stood out because of his creative use of the colour gold and the image of the royal boat, which symbolises Thai craftsmanship and displays his respect for tradition. I can't wait to see it on the Google.co.th site in August," he said.

Apart from his doodle making it to the Google homepage, Therdthanawa has also won a Bt25,000 scholarship, a new laptop and an all-expenses-paid trip to Googleplex in Mountain View, California with his teacher and a parent. He will also meet Google's doodle team and see how they regularly create images.

The Doodle 4 Google competition in Thailand was organised by Google in cooperation with the Education Ministry and Thailand Knowledge Park's children's museum. Participants aged five to 18 were told to give the Google logo a unique look under the theme of "My Thailand".

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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Bigger Earthquakes Expected For Thailand

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Riot casualties seek legal help, damages

By The Nation

Some 400 entrepreneurs from Centre One, Siam Square and CentralWorld affected by last month's riots have asked the Lawyers Council of Thailand to help them with civil lawsuits for damages worth Bt144 million, council spokesman Sombat Wongkamhaeng said yesterday.

Among the plaintiffs are 13 members of the public who suffered Bt2.65 million in damages, 11 entrepreneurs at Centre One (Bt16.9 million), 25 business operators from Siam Square (Bt40 million) and 11 entrepreneurs at CentralWorld (Bt84 million), Sombat said.

Two others requesting the council's legal assistance faced charges of violating the emergency decree. One was sentenced by Pathum Wan Court to six months' imprisonment and the other by Dusit Court to one-and-a-half-years in prison, he said.

The two maintain their innocence, claiming they were told by officials to confess to receive a suspended jail term, Sombat said.

The council is gathering facts to consider helping them appeal the sentences.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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More than 22% primary students fail national arithmetic test

By The Nation

Nearly a fourth of Pathom 3 graduates have failed this year's national arithmetic test, the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) revealed yesterday.

Up to 523,469 students sat for the test after successfully completing the Pathom 3 level in the last academic year. Obec said these results prove that standards needed to be improved in many state schools.

"Of the Pathom 3 graduates, 22.29 per cent failed their arithmetic test," Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat said yesterday, adding that the results were unsatisfactory even though the percentage of failing students had dropped slightly from 25.29 per cent last year.

According to Chinnapat, the percentage of illiterate students had also dropped to 7.72 per cent from 8.82 per cent a year before.

"However, the number of students who are unable to write is still pretty much the same," he added.

Chinnapat said the issue would be raised at a two-day meeting attended by all 185 directors of educational offices next month. "We will require all offices to draw up a plan on how to solve the problem of illiterate students and their inability to do simple calculations," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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THAI BOXING

Plan to elevate Muay Thai to heritage status

By Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation

The National Cultural Commission is considering registering the traditional martial art of Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, as a cultural heritage incorporating local wisdom.

BANGKOK: -- Secretary-general Somchai Sianglai said yesterday the advisory committee for cultural heritage registration had fully recommended Muay Thai, but specifically defined it as a traditional martial art that had been passed on from generation to generation for a long time, not Thai boxing as a kind of sports competition.

The committee also agreed on the need to produce a national Thai boxing manual to compile as much accurate information about Muay Thai as possible.

Thai boxing should be organised and ranked for use in the domestic teaching of Thais and foreigners who were interested in it. This would also immensely boost its economic value, like Tae Kwan Do in Korea.

The commission, which is under the Culture Ministry, will host a ceremony to announce the registration of Muay Thai along with 20 other items as a cultural heritage on July 30 at the Cultural Centre's small conference hall.

A Muay Thai exhibition and demonstrations from various schools will also be featured.

The commission will prepare Muay Thai teaching materials to promote public understanding and pride in this cultural heritage and find ways to enhance its commercial appeal.

Somchai said he intends to support Muay Thai as a world heritage in the future.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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For Thai fans World Cup can be about more than just football

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40 risk-prone points watched by CRES

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Forty risk-prone points are under close watch by the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES).

According to the Secretary-General of National Security Council (NSC) Tawin Pleansri, the recent attack on an empty army oil depot in Nonthaburi on Sunday was hinted to the CRES but the officials failed to prevent the occurrence since some officials had returned to their base.

Mr Tawin admitted that the retention of Emergency Decree had violated people’s right and causing inconvenience to the general public but the officials need to maintain social order before civil rights. The retention of Emergency Decree will enable the officials to commit their tasks easier.

Mr Tawin, however, dismissed rumors allegedly blaming the government as the cause of the blast in a bid to prolong the decree imposition.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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Third Group of Alleged Red Financiers to Report to DSI

The third group individuals who have been accused of financing the red shirt riots in May will be reporting to the Department of Special Investigation today. They include Pintongta Shinawatra, Yingrak Shinawatra, Bannapot Damaphong,General Chaiyasit Shinawatra, Yaowares Shinawatra, Karun Hosakul, and Wicharn Meenchainant.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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Health Ministry Announce More Smoking Bans in Public Places

The Public Health Ministry has issued an announcement of a complete ban on smoking at five types of public venues, effective June 28th, to protect non-smokers.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit stated that the smoking ban at five types of public venues came into effect Yesterday (June 28th), to safeguard those who do not smoke, as stipulated in the Non-Smokers' Health Protection Act B.E. 2553.

The new act bans smoking at public health-related places, educational places, lobbies and corridors, and health-related vehicles when in service, as well as religious and public places such as stores and fitness centers.

According to the ministry's statistics, 10 million Thais smoke or one fifth of the population. As many as 42,000 people die each year from tobacco-related health problems, while 100,000 smokers must seek health care to treat smoking-related ailments.

In addition, thousands of non-smokers feel sick and are killed by smokers each year. In fact, second-hand smoking increases the risk of lung cancer up to 30 percent.

Therefore, the World Health Organization advises making public areas, vehicles, and homes non-smoking zones.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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Larry King, the iconic TV interviewer, will step aside from hosting his prime time CNN show later this year, he says. /CNN

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Thaksin aide Noppadon seeks US role In Thailand

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SOCIAL WELFARE

Cost relief to be permanent?

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In a bid to woo grass-roots support ahead of the next election, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday ordered the Finance Ministry to study the feasibility of providing free electricity, bus and train services permanently to low-income earners.

The move will bring Thailand closer to what the premier called a "social welfare" policy, in which the government will have to set aside an annual budget of Bt20 billion to subsidise electricity bills and rides on non-air-conditioned buses and third-class interprovincial trains.

These cost-of-living relief measures were first introduced as a package by the Samak Sundaravej administration in 2008. Successive governments have renewed the populist measures several times.

They were supposed to expire today, but the Cabinet yesterday gave them another six months, expiring now on December 31.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to subsidise liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) until next February.

From April 1-June 30, providing free electricity to households using 90 or fewer units a month and waiving fares on some ordinary public buses and third-class trains cost the government Bt4.5 billion.

Abhisit said the Finance Ministry would study the opening of "public service" accounts at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the State Railway of Thailand and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, so that the government can set a budget to compensate these state enterprises for providing services to low-income earners.

"These measures could be made permanent if they are public-service obligations," he said.

Ordinary city-bus and third-class train services could be long-term free services for the poor, but it is still unclear how many units of electricity should be provided free of charge.

Finance Minister Korn Chatika-vanij said that most low-income earners were covered when the free electricity cap was set at 90 units, so if the cap were lowered to only 50 units, fewer people would benefit.

A Cabinet source said the three measures would cost the government a combined Bt19.5 billion annually: Bt2.5 billion for ordinary bus service, Bt1 billion for third-class train service and Bt16 billion for free power.

For the latest six-month extension, Deputy Government Spokesman Watchara Kannikar said free electricity would cost Bt7.46 billion, free public buses Bt1.25 billion and free trains Bt530 million.

For the past year, 9.15 million households consumed Bt16 billion worth of free electricity, while 422 million and 48 million passengers enjoyed free rides on specially marked city buses and third-class trains, respectively.

The government also wants the electricity utility to suspend an increase in the fuel charge, which affects electricity tariffs, until year-end.

However, PTT, the country's largest oil and gas firm, cautioned that prolonged LPG and NGV subsidies would not bode well for the energy industry in the long run, because they would distort the pricing structure.

Bank of Thailand Deputy Governor Bandid Nijathaworn said the cost-of-living measures were good for low-income earners, but they should not be kept for an extended period.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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Free buses save THB3.3 billion for low income riders

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The free bus service available from February 2009 to May 2010 have helped save more than 3.3 billion THB in fare for low-income earners.

According to Director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, Opart Petchmunee, the free bus operation which is part of the relief measures of the government could effectively alleviate low-income earners’ burdens from the high cost of living. More than 477 million people used the service during the period.

According to Mr Opart, about 800 free public buses are plying 76 routes around Bangkok in the project.

The cabinet on 29 June 2010 approved the extension of the relief measures, including free services on public buses and economy-class trains, as well as power bill subsidies, for another six months, until December this year.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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Special Report: Thais under Hypertension Threat‏

According to the International Society of Hypertension, 1.5 billion people worldwide are suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension from the total 6 billion-world population. The global fatality from hypertension is seven million per annum. Major concerns in this health threat have emerged as patients usually are not aware of the conditions, and hence do not receive proper treatment in time.

As reported in the recent national health examination results in 2001, the situation in Thailand was found to be worrying as 11 million of the 50 million Thais aged more than 15 years old were found to have hypertension. In other words, there is at least one person with high blood pressure in every five people. 23% of men and 21% of women were found to suffer from the disease. Hypertension patients could be found the most in the north, the central and Bangkok, the northeastern, and the south, respectively. The number of hospitalized hypertension patients had increased by five times from 1998 to 2008.

Deputy Public Health Minister Phansiri Kullanartsiri explained that hypertension might result from many factors, such as obesity, eating salty dishes, and lack of exercise. She hence urged people to reduce their consumption of salty dishes, eat more vegetables, and control their weight to prevent such a disease.

However, based on the recent survey by the Department of Disease Control in 2007 among Thais aged between 15 and 74 years old, 23% of the respondents were overweight and obese while 21% had oversized waists. Bangkok people were found to have these problems the most. As for health care lifestyles, only 23% of the respondents ate adequate fruits and vegetables while 38% exercised 30 minutes three days a week.

Citing the mentioned statistics, it can be seen that a majority of Thais are under this silent threat and have no awareness of taking care of their health. More campaigns must be made to make people realize the danger of hypertension as well as other undesired health conditions, in order encourage them to change their lifestyles to ensure good health before it will be too late to cure.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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Wanted Militant Surrenders After Hiding Out for 2 Years

A suspected militant has turned himself in to police after escaping an arrest warrant under the Emergency Decree for two years.

A 30-year-old suspected militant, Mayunai Pano, has surrendered to police and admitted to an insurgent charge after an arrest warrant was issued for him two years ago on charges of breaking emergency rule.

In tears, he explained that he felt guilty for joining the underground movement as he has had to hide from his family, which has been heavily affected.

Mayunai added that last year his father was injured in an accident, but he was not able to visit his father at all.

He said he eventually had a talk with a community leader and the Khok Pho police station in Pattani Province to surrender and to reveal information about anti-government forces.

In addition, he has called on other insurgent members to turn themselves in to police as well and to give up separatist ideals.

Meanwhile, police, military, and administrative officers joined hands to search two places in Khok Pho District and arrested two suspected militants for further questioning.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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House Jacking Goes Wrong, Killing 1 Construction Worker

A two-story home in Bangkok collapsed YESTERDAY morning, trapping construction workers trying to lift the home. One worker was killed.

A deadly house jacking accident in Raminthra Soi 13 of Bangkok trapped several construction workers yesterday morning.

The two-story house collapsed as the workers were trying to lift 24 levers they had installed earlier. The home tilted and eventually collapsed during the workers' third attempt to level it.

Eight of the workers were trapped under a pile of rubble for more than three hours as rescue workers worked to extract them from the rubble.

All were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, Booncherd Peng-in, succumbed to his injuries soon after.

Police said that the owner of the house did not apply for a remodel permit, a violation that carries a fine and imprisonment penalties. The workers could also be charged for recklessness, pending further investigation.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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Thailand charges 90 years-old Australian with sexually assaulting four sisters

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Deputy PM Suthep: Possible attacks in Bangkok, Emergency Decree still needed in place /via @MCOTEnglishnews

Benigno Aquino III is sworn in as the Philippines' 15th president 11 minutes ago /via @BreakingNews

Bangkok: House jacking goes wrong, killing 1 construction worker yesterday

Wanted militant surrenders after hiding out for 2 years

Special Report: Thais under Hypertension threat

Bangkok: Free buses save THB3.3 billion for low income riders

film@alliance-française BKK classic Truffaut:"2Anglaises et le continent."7.30pm. In Fr, eng s/titles. Not to be missed! /via RT @francethai

Social Welfare - Cost relief to be permanent?

Thaksin aide Noppadon seeks US role In Thailand:

More people close to Thaksin (Pintongta, Yingrak, Bannapot,Gen Chaiyasit, Yaowares, Karun, Wicharn) to report to DSI today /via @TAN_Network

Health Ministry announce more smoking bans in public places

Bangkok: Third group of alleged Red financiers to report to DSI today

40 risk-prone points watched by Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES)

For Thai fans World Cup can be about more than just football:

Plan to elevate Muay Thai to heritage status

More than 22% primary students fail national arithmetic test

Riot casualties seek legal help for damages

15-year-old Thai student's doodle wins big with Google

Bigger earthquakes expected for Thailand:

Court sees no grounds to free Kokaew

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Govt Denies Staging Army Fuel Depot Attack

The deputy secretary-general to the prime minister has denied the government's involvement in the recent attack on an army fuel depot, claiming the government simply had nothing to gain by doing such a thing.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Panitan Wattanayakorn, who is also the acting government spokesperson, talked about the government's plan to extend the State of Emergency, saying the matter will be considered at the next Cabinet meeting on July 6th.

Some have been claiming that the extension of the State of Emergency is the government's attempt to prevent Pheu Thai Party from campaigning for the upcoming Bangkok by-election effectively.

The acting government spokesperson has repudiated the claim, saying that the capital recently held a local election without any problem.

When asked about the recent rocket-propelled grenade attack on an army fuel depot, Panitan denied the government's involvement in the incident, saying that the government simply had nothing to gain by staging such an attack.

Regarding a rumor that an army general was behind the attack, the government spokesperson responded that the investigation team is looking into the claim.

Meanwhile, the government has increased security at other locations, especially public infrastructures at risk of being attacked.

Meanwhile, the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations or CRES has summoned some individuals suspected of financing the anti-government movement for questioning.

Among those who have been summoned are former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family members and politicians of the Pheu Thai Party.

All will send legal teams to the CRES to explain their suspicious financial transactions.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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Election Commission: Proxy Can Campaign for Jailed Candidate

An Election Commissioner confirms that electoral laws do not bar the assistant of an electoral candidate from running an electoral campaign instead of the candidate if no malfeasance is reported.

Praphan Naikowit, an election commissioner, has stated no electoral law bans the assistant of an electoral candidate from running an electoral campaign instead of the candidate if there is no smearing.

Th issue was raised as jailed red-shirt leader Korkaew Phikunthong is running as a candidate for the upcoming Bangkok constituency six election, while prisoner laws prohibit Korkaew from campaigning.

However, as no electoral law bans proxies from campaigning for him, other red-shirt leaders and Phue Thai Party members are not prohibited from campaigning for Korkaew Phikunthong.

Praphan also urged all sides to create a good electoral-campaign climate so that the election ends successfully.

He insisted that this upcoming poll does not violate the Emergency Decree and that no complaints about poll grafts have been filed so far.

In addition, he assured that he will launch a probe into alleged collusion between the Democrat and New Politics Parties if the Phue Thai Party officially lodges a complaint.

The director of the Bangkok election, Pratheung Chom-ngam, said he has not been informed about violence relating to the by-election.

However, he insisted he will keep a close watch on the campaign by the Phue Thai Party, to detect if any speeches feature red-shirt protest issues, which are deemed inappropriate.

-- Tan Network 2010-06-30

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Ex-PM to push Thai football team to 2014 World Cup

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ex-Prime Minister and incumbent Chart Thai Pattana Chief Advisor, Banharn Silapa-archa, has expressed his intention to forge ahead with the Thailand national football team to join the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Mr Banharn said he would discuss with President of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Worawi Makudi, ways to develop the national football team so that it could take part in the next FIFA World Cup tournament hosted by Brazil in 2014.

The ex-prime minister also expressed his opinion that potential of the Thai football team was stronger when compared with other teams in the ASEAN region.

Mr Banharn believed that the Thai team would be good enough to represent the Asian region similar to Japan, South Korea, and North Korea, in the world’s soccer championship in 2014.

-- NNT 2010-06-30

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Bomb-like object Central Phraram 2 branch

A bomb-like object was spotted on a sidewalk near Central Phraram 2 shopping mall Wednesday, police said.

The object was spotted on the sidewalk in front of a deserted building about 500 metres away from the shopping mall.

Police rushed to the scene to inspect it only to find that it was made of two PVC pipes without explosives or any bomb circuit. One pipe was filled with sand while the other had a battery inside. The two pipes were tired with electric wires.

Police said it was apparently left there to terrify the public or police officers who often set up road checkpoint in the area.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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BY-ELECTION

Busy day for detained Pheu Thai candidate

Bangkok Bank staffs on Wednesday visited detained Pheu Thai candidate for July's by-election Kokaew Pikunthong in a prison to open a bank account for him.

The bank account will be an official account for campaign spending of Kokaew who has been detained on terrorism charge.

Kokaew would sign documents to open the account. He was one of the hard core leaders of the red shirts movement and is among several leaders who are charged of terrorism.

He was said to be the first candidate who will run in an election while in detention.

Visiting him after the bank staffs were Kokaew campaign staffs who asked him to check campaigning posters.

-- The Nation 2010-06-30

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Thailand hosts ASEAN HIV meeting

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The ASEAN Consultation on Regional Framework on Greater Involvement and Empowerment of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) hosted by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand has officially commenced at Montien Hotel in Bangkok.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health, Siriwat Tiptaradol, MD, presided over the meeting on Wednesday morning. Representatives of ASEAN countries, networks of HIV/AIDS patients, and various international organizations are taking part in the meeting.

The international conference is aimed at forging cooperation between ASEAN countries and networks of HIV/AIDS patients. Activities and a regional operational framework to encourage participation of HIV/AIDS patients will be discussed.

The conclusion for the fourth regional HIV/AIDS plan (2011-2015) will also be made in accordance with the policy of UNAIDS to reduce stigmatization and discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients, as well as enhance assistance efforts and the rights of HIV/AIDS patients in each country.

At present, it is estimated that there are more than 1.6 million HIV/AIDS patients in ASEAN. There are 500,000 HIV/AIDS patients living in Thailand alone.

-- NNT 2010-06-30