Thailand Live Thursday 8 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 8 July 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 7 July 2010

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Court to deliberate Democrat’s fund misuse case on 28 Jul

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Constitutional Court is scheduled to review the Democrat Party’s political fund mishandling case on 28 July 2010.

Representatives of the Democrat Party and the Election Commission (EC), as the defendant and the plaintiff, respectively, this morning were summoned to the first trial of the fund misuse case. The court informed them of the deliberation process and set the examination of evidence and witnesses on 28 July.

Earlier, the Election Commissioners voted to dissolve the Democrat Party on grounds of violating the Political Party Act by acquiring donation worth 258 million THB from Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) Plc and mishandling a political development fund worth 29 million THB allocated by the EC.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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SMS trial against PM, Finance Minister to be ruled next week

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will next week deliberate the case against the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister involving suspicious delivery of SMS messages to the public.

Mr Klanarong Chantik, Spokesperson of the NACC, revealed today that the commission was planning to make a ruling next week on the case against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on grounds of violating the NACC Act by unlawfully sending text messages to Thai people after assuming office. He elaborated that the subcommittee had completed investigating the case and was now prepared to present it to the committee for final deliberation.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party earlier lodged the case with the NACC, seeking removal of Mr Abhisit and Mr Korn for their abuse of authority and invasion of people's privacy via SMS messages.

Meanwhile, Mr Klanarong added that the commission would also clarify the progress of over 100 pending cases of both the Government and the opposition next week.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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BHUM JAI THAI PARTY

Suspect admits making bomb

By THE NATION

Published on July 8, 2010

Kobchai Boonplod, one of the suspects in the blast at the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters, has confessed that he jotted down bomb-making techniques and made the bomb at his home.

"We are now investigating how he acquired the bomb-making information," Tharit Pengdit, director-general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said yesterday.

Kobchai made the confession after investigators found a hand-written note about bomb-making techniques on a notebook belonging to his associate Warisriya Boonsom.

Initially, both Kobchai and Warisriya insisted that they did not know about the blast at the Bhum Jai Thai office.

The pair were arrested in Cambodia last Saturday and sent back to Thailand on Monday. Ongoing inquiries revealed that they fled Thailand on June 23, just a day after the bomb attack took place.

They are now facing charges of terrorism, illegal possession of explosives and causing an explosion that hurt others and damaged property.

Three other suspects, including Anek Singkhuntod, have been charged with the same offences for their alleged role in the Bhum Jai Thai blast.

The attack went wrong, with Anek getting badly injured after the bomb went off near the Bhum Jai Thai Party headquarters.

The Criminal Court yesterday approved a DSI request to detain Kobchai and Warisriya for 12 days - till July 18. However, the court did not allow the suspects to stay at the DSI detention facility.

Therefore, Kobchai was sent to the Bangkok Remand Prison while Warisriya was sent to the Central Women's Correctional Institution.

No relatives showed up to request bail for the pair.

The court also approved the investigators' request to detain three other suspects - Anek, Kampol Khamkhong and Dejpol Puttakong - for 12 more days till July 19.

DSI investigator Pol Lt-Colonel Payao Thongsen said two other people were implicated in the case. He identified them as Samran and Noi (or Uan), both of whom remain on the run.

Tharit, the DSI chief, said his agency was seeking co-operation from Cambodia authorities to deport more Thais wanted on terrorism charges.

He spoke after Warisriya said she met some red-shirt leaders, including those wanted on terrorism charges, in Siem Reap.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-General Assawin Kwangmuang quoted Warisriya as saying that she had met Payap Panket and Kanyapak Maneejak or DJ Aom there. Payap and Kanyapak are wanted in Thailand.

"She [Warisriya] also referred to someone as director but it's not clear who he is," Assawin said. The high-ranking police officer interrogated Warisriya and Kobchai on Monday.

When asked about Bhum Jai Thai de-facto leader Newin Chidchob's comment that a "Mr P" was behind the case, Assawin said: "I don't know".

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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INDEPENDENT PANEL

Kanit to dig for root causes of political conflict

By THE NATION

Kanit na Nakhon, head of the panel looking for truth and reconciliation, said yesterday it was necessary to look for the root causes of the political conflict instead of just bringing wrongdoers to justice.

Kanit brought along five committee members to the press conference yesterday so they could show their readiness to search for truth and cause of political conflict.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet approved the eight names proposed by Kanit, but human-rights lawyers Somchai Homla-or, Prairoj Polphet and law academic Surasak Likkhasitwatanakul did not show up yesterday. Kanit said the absentees were all set to work with the committee and had no intention of withdrawing.

Kanit, a former state prosecutor, said his committee would find the truth behind the political violence, violation of human rights, casualties and damage to property during the April-May military crackdown.

The committee would dig deeply into the root causes of conflict between different groups of people over the past several years, he said.

Kanit promised to release every finding straight to the public instead of waiting for a final report as he had done previously when looking into the May 1992 bloodshed and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's war on drugs.

He said the committee's sole purpose was to give the public nothing but the truth so the government had no chance of covering it up.

The panel will also use the concept of "restorative justice" to prevent a recurrence of violence, he said.

"Let's look at the cause of the violence, not each particular incident. We could go back to 1997 and look into the so-called people's constitution and political reform to find out why it led to a military coup [in 2006]", he said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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PARTY DISSOLUTION

Court outlines dissolution case against Democrats

By THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Court yesterday outlined five legal issues vital to form its verdict on the Democrat Party dissolution case before scheduling two key dates - July 28 for examination of evidence, and August 9 for the hearing of witnesses.

The high court will hear testimony from 50 prosecution witnesses and 30 from the defence. The inquiry is scheduled to take place on Mondays until it is completed.

At yesterday's session, presiding judge Udomsak Nitimontri explained the charges and the procedure for the judicial inquiry.

The ruling party has been charged with wrongful spending of Bt29 million in funds allocated by the Election Commission and earmarked for party development. Under the Political Parties Act, the offence is punishable by party dissolution.

The five legal issues central to the inquiry are:

1. Whether the proceedings to lay charges are lawful and proper.

2. Whether the alleged offence involving the Democrat Party falls under the suspended 1998 legislation on political parties or the 2007 Political Parties Act (pertinent provisions were revised following the 2006 coup).

3. Whether the Democrats carried out spending plans for the 2006 fiscal year as approved by the EC.

4. Whether the Democrats filed financial records for 2008 that reflected actual spending.

5. If the party is punished with dissolution, should party executives be penalised with a five-year ban against them holding office and voting. And if so, should the ban be invoked by the Political Parties Act or by the decree from the 2006 coup?

The prosecution and defence testimonies are expected to shed light on factual information related to the party's financial records and its spending.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai led the defence team. He voiced confidence the ruling party could win a favourable verdict.

"My party is ready to explain all charges because it has done nothing wrong," he said.

Chuan said he was not in a position to critique the EC for its handling of the case.

The EC opted to prosecute the ruling party via two tracts. It chose to directly petition the high court for an offence stemming from alleged wrongful spending.

It had asked the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute a separate case aimed at dissolution of the party by combining two alleged violations - one on the wrongful spending and another for allegedly rigging the records in relation to Bt258 million in campaign contributions.

A joint panel from the EC and the OAG has been set up to complete the case review after public prosecutors deemed it necessary to collect additional evidence. This has triggered uncertainty about whether the case will be heard by the high court.

Meanwhile, Democrat MP Wirat Kalayasiri, who is part of the party's legal team, said yesterday the lawyers would challenge the EC's proceedings in laying the charges. He also pointed out that in 2005 when the alleged offence was committed, the Political Party Act in effect at that time did not include a dissolution penalty against the offending political party. That penalty was added in the current Political Party Act of 2007.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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PreMA puts ethics squeeze on drug sales teams

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

The Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association (PReMA) has urged 3,200 pharmaceutical company sales representatives to stop pressuring doctors at state hospitals into ordering their products by offering benefits and gifts.

The move is part of PReMa's campaign to promote sales ethics among the 32 drug companies on PreMa's membership list - and to control the behaviour of their representatives.

PReMA's chief executive officer, Dr Kitima Yuthavong, said competition was high among companies in the Bt100-billion pharmaceutical market, and many push their representatives for ever higher sales targets.

Some approach state hospital doctors to persuade them to buy their products by offering special benefits and gifts; others visit doctors while they are checking their patients.

The more ethical among them allow doctors to make their own decisions about ordering products, based on the scientific information available.

In a bid to control over-zealous drug company sales representatives, PReMa has issued a code of conduct for the past 40 years. It is now up to version No 8.

Under this code, PreMA's members are prohibited from offering special benefits to doctors or cajoling them into asking hospitals to buy their products.

However, they can still offer gifts and gimmicks, but only under Bt 500, and Bt3,000 to support a doctor's education. The rules also call for good manners while approaching doctors.

Sales representatives must provide scientific information and research about drug products so doctors can make the right decisions, based on the patient's welfare, before asking a hospital to place orders with drug companies.

"They should wear company uniforms when they visit doctors and provide them with scientific details about their product, instead of giving them presents," she said.

Representatives should be pharmacy or medical technology graduates as they need to provide scientific information to doctors.

At present, the 32 company members of PreMA have 3,200 sales representatives, 80 per cent of whom have passed PreMA's ethics certification examination.

Companies that permit sales reps to offer bribes to doctors would face a fine of Bt100,000 for the first offence and a Bt200,000 fine for a second.

Kitima said the association has sent letters to hospitals across the country to keep a close watch on drug company sales reps. If they find any malpractice, they should inform the association immediately.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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LAND SCANDALS

Pheu Thai promises to reveal big names

By The Nation

Suwit, officials 'will face malfeasance charges if they fail to do anything'

Opposition Pheu Thai Party yesterday threatened to file an official complaint against Natural Resources Minister Suwit Khunkitti and forestry officials if they failed to investigate the questionable acquisition of Surat Thani plots allegedly owned by two key Democrat Party figures.

The party will file a malfeasance charge with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Suwit along with all ministry and forestry officials found involved in the land acquisition process, Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday, adding that the deadline for the job was August 7.

He said the Khao Phaeng "scandal" was a land-grab and much larger than the Sor Por Kor land scandal that unseated the Democrat-led government under Chuan Leekpai many years ago. He added that it was even larger than the Khao Yai Thiang scandal, which prompted former prime minister Surayud Chulanont to return the plot to the state last year.

"The Sor Por Kor land affair covered a hill on Phuket island, the Khao Yai Thiang land scandal involved just one plot, but the Khao Phaeng scandal involves seven mountains in four tambons," the spokesman said. He added that he now knew the names of those people who had acquired the land in joint deals with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban and Democrat Party member Niphon Promphan.

"The names will create a bang when they are released. These people are politicians, influential figures and well-known businesspeople. But I will not tell you now," he said.

When Promphong went to the ministry to hand over the documents, he left joking that maybe he should file a missing-persons report about Suwit because he was missing. This was in reaction to Suwit declining to meet him and having him leave the papers with other ministry officials.

Referring to the land bought by Niphon, part of the area handed over to the state by the Huntrakul family, Promphong said Suwit was surprisingly quiet because the 4,870 rai had been given to the ministry that he was in charge of as member of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

Responding to questions over whether a plot owned by former TRT executive Sudarat Keyuraphan on Samui island would also be scrutinised, Prompong said Sudarat had bought the 12 rai legally and would produce purchase and ownership documents if required.

"She would not have survived if she had got the land illegally, because [Democrat] Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam wouldn't let her live," Prompong said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation said it was not delaying the investigation and had taken action on two cases: handing initial probe results over to the police to look into the alleged illegal acquisition of land and assigning a DSI division to look into joint ownership disputes.

DSI director-general Tharit Phengdit was speaking yesterday to a special House committee vetting the 2011 budget bill, saying that neither the DSI nor Justice Ministry were stalling the investigation. Both agencies are also jointly investigating questionable acquisition of land in other provinces including Phang Nga, Phuket, in addition to the Khao Phaeng case.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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CRES to defend itself against allegations

By The Nation

The Centre of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) will have to defend itself against allegations that some red shirts were being detained at a military base in Kanchanaburi.

A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) subcommittee yesterday vowed to summon CRES to explain itself over the allegation next Tuesday.

"We will ask for information from their detainees' relatives too," the subcommittee's chairman and NHRC commission Dr Niran Pitakwatchara said.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit brought the case to NHRC's attention.

Allegations emerged on Monday, when military chiefs insisted that no red shirts were being detained in Kanchanaburi because there were no detention facilities there.

"We will gather information from those involved before conducting field trips to find the truth," Niran said.

He added that his panel would also invite representatives from relevant agencies such as CRES, the Department of Special Investigation and National Police Office to discuss the subcommittee's findings that many red shirts at the Bangkok Remand Prison were being subjected to human-rights violations.

"Even though Bangkok is under the state of emergency, the government has to respect the human rights of the detainees," Niran said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Blacklisted individuals split into groups based on 'guilt': DSI

By The Nation

The 83 individuals and businesses suspected of acting as the "financial pipeline" for the red shirts have been divided into three groups according to their alleged degree of involvement in the anti-government movement, the head of the Department of Special Investigation said yesterday.

These were a "white group" - those who could provide clear explanations about their financial transactions; a "black group" who were directly involved with the movement's terrorist acts; and a "grey group" - who had made suspicious moves but were in a uncertain position as investigators could not find proof against them, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said.

He said the DSI would file charges of terrorism against people in the black group and expand inquiries into financial activities of those in the "grey group".

However, the DSI would still not suggest any individual be removed from the blacklist of people and businesses banned from making financial transactions. Further investigation and comparative analysis was required in regard to their financial information and tax payment, Tharit said.

The government's Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation imposed the ban on individuals and businesses suspected of providing financial support to the red shirts during their recent political unrest. The turmoil ended with 90 people killed and about 1,900 injured and led to riots and arson attacks on about three dozen buildings in Bangkok and other provinces.

On the eighth day of questioning by CRES officials yesterday, those on the blacklist continued to offer explanations in response to the financial ban.

Some showed up by themselves, such as Wiyadi Sutawong and Pasin Hoklang, close friends of Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, who is the former wife of the reds' major supporter and ex-premier, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Others sent their lawyers, such as Imperial World owner Songkram Kitlertpairoj, Baiyoke Tower owner Panlert Baiyoke, and Misushita owner Somwang Assarasi.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Environmental bond fund needed: academic

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

In a bid to reduce the conflict between industrial projects and their local communities, an academic yesterday called for the government to create an Environmental Bond Fund to compensate people living in environmentally risky areas.

The idea was presented by Professor Direk Pattamasiriwat of the National Institute of Development Administration at the Annual Academic Conference 2010, organised by the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University.

Direk said the government should pass an Environmental Bond Act to collect funds from large scale industrial sites and other activities with the potential to cause catastrophic damage to the environment.

Under the fund, the government would pay 2 to 3 per cent interest on capital to industrial factory owners. If their operations seriously damaged local communities, their capital would be automatically seized.

He added that the money would be distributed to local authority organisations to manage by themselves, as they would not have to wait for the green light from Cabinet.

Direk said there was already a draft Environmental Bond Fund and many studies had looked into the idea - but it had never been implemented.

He said Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij should make a courageous decision and propose such an Act as soon as possible to resolve current conflict among the industrial sector and local communities.

Suthi Atchasai, coordinator for the Eastern People's Network, said residents near Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and their environment had been adversely affected from nearby industrial development causing air pollution, waste water, and hazardous waste.

"There was no good management to balance environmental protection and industrial development," he said. "People now have to pay for damages with their own money," he added.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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PM Abhisit Wants Case Against Yellow Shirts Dealt With Promptly

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Thai Sex-Case Musician Mikhail Pletnev Gets Bail

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FLASH NEWS: Bangchak to Slash Pump Prices by Bt0.60/Ltr

Bangchak will reduce pump prices for all types of fuel except E85 by Bt0.60 per liter tomorrow.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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Thai Officials Raid Illegal Pharmaceutical Facility

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Members of Unrest Probe Panel Named

Kanit Na Nakorn, head of the independent panel investigating the political violence, has introduced eight panel members to the public after the cabinet’s acknowledgment.

The cabinet acknowledged the names of eight persons on Tuesday whom Kanit Na Nakorn selected as members of his independent panel responsible for investigating the political violence in April and May.

Kanit said all eight persons have agreed to join his panel and will adhere to the principles of independence, impartiality, straightforwardness, honesty, and transparency.

He explained that the panel’s work focuses on finding the truth, preventing social and political violence, and rehabilitating society.

He noted that his panel would not duplicate the efforts led by former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun and social critic Doctor Prawes Wasi on national reform.

Kanit said the tasks are the most difficult work he will have undertaken in his life, but he vows to earn the panel trust from all sides.

He also expressed confidence that his panel’s contribution to a restoring a peaceful society will be finished within two years, and he will report developments to the Cabinet every six months and regularly inform the public of the panel's progress.

Kanit added that the panel does not aim to name culprits of various incidents, but to find the truth and try to explain what exactly happened and how to prevent a repeat of such violence in the future.

Apart from Kanit, the eight other members of the panel are:

Justice Permanent Secretary Kittipong Kittiyarat,

Jutharat Ua-amnuay, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University,

Decha Sangkhawan, a lecturer in Social Administration faculty at Thammasart University,

Pairoj Polphet, secretary of the People’s Right Protection Association,

Manij Suksomjit, veteran journalist of Thairath Newspaper, Ronnachai Kongsakon, a medical doctor at Ramathibodi Hospital,

Somchai Homla-or, and Surasak Likkhasitwattanakul, a law lecturer at Thammasart University.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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New US Embassy fees July 2010

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Army ranger injured in Yala bomb attack

YALA -- An Army ranger was injured when insurgents detonated a roadside bomb to ambush a ranger patrol unit in this southern border province Thursday morning.

Ranger Wichian Rassameewutthithorn, 27, was severely injured in the blast that happened at 7:40 am on the main road in Tuera Village in Tambon Bannang Sata of Bannang Sata district.

Police said the unit of seven Army rangers was patrolling the road in the routine operation when the bomb was detonated using a walkie-talkie.

Wichian suffered serious cut on his left leg and was rushed to the district hospital before being forwarded to the provincial hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Russian conductor Mikhail Pletnev facing sex charges leaves Thailand

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4 red-shirt leaders plead not guilty in case of besieging Prem's house

Veera Musigapong and 3 other red-shirt leaders Thursday pledged not guilty in the case that they were accused of leading protesters to besiege the residence to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda in 1997.

Veera, Nattawut Saikua, weng Tojirakarn and Piphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai were led from the Bangkok Remand Prison to the Criminal Court to enter their plea in the case.

They were accused of holding unlawful gathering of more than 10 people with intent to harm others and cause disturbance for their role in the protest outside Prem's house on July 22 1997.

The court scheduled the next hearing on August 23.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Water levels remain low despite rainfalls

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Water reserves in many reservoirs and dams remain critical despite recent heavy rainfalls in all parts of the country.

According to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut, water reserves in big- and medium-sized reservoirs nationwide now stand at 33.364 billion cubic meters in total, which accounts for only 45% of the total holding capacity. Water reserves in reservoirs in the northeastern and the central provinces in particular are also low.

Bhumibol Dam now has only 4.061 billion cubic meters of water, or 30% of its holding capacity. Sirikit Dam has 3.229 billion cubic meters, or 34% of its capacity. To make the matter worse, water level at Pasak Jolasit Dam is only at 75 million cubic meters, or only 8% of the total capacity.

Water levels in Bhumibol and Sirikit Dams are on the rise thanks to rainfalls above the two dams; however, the levels of water in both dams are still considered very low. As a consequence, authorities plan to recommend that farmers put off cultivating in-season rice further.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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Publishing industry prospers during World Cup

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai publishing industry is thriving as football fans are monitoring football news report and engaging themselves in lucky draw activities during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, according to the Kasikorn Research Center (KResearch).

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, which began on 11 June and will commence on 11 July, not only keeps fans on their toes with excitement and alleviates the mood of the country, but also present opportunities to boost revenues for several businesses; one of the benefiting industry is publishing.

Thanks to the World Cup, general newspaper, sports newspaper and magazines, postcard, and FIFA copyrighted postcard businesses are enjoying rising sales with an additional circulation of more than 820 million THB, according to the KResearch.

Normal newspapers and magazines have a rising sale of 100 million THB while sports newspapers and magazines have an additional sale of 60 million THB. The figures for copyrighted postcards and normal postcards are 300 million THB and 360 million THB, respectively.

Newspapers and magazines, particularly sports ones are having higher sales as football fans are monitoring analysis and reports of football matches while copyrighted postcards are purchased as collectibles. People also buy regular postcards to participate in the World Cup champion lucky draw activities.

The estimated value is calculated from the face value of each publication; nevertheless, the figure did not include other sources of income of publishing companies during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, such as advertisement revenues and promotional events, which are speculated to be quite significant as well.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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Man Arrested for Explosion Behind City Condominium

BANGKOK: -- A 23-year-old man has been arrested as a suspect responsible for an explosion behind a condominium in Bangkok.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has arrested 23-year-old Narathorn Jamsin for allegedly causing a firecracker in a dumpster behind a condominium in Bangkok.

The authorities confiscated explosives at his condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng Soi 41/3.

An explosion was heard behind the condominium complex on July 7th. Police say witnesses and video evidence confirm that Narathorn was the person behind the explosion.

Narathorn has denied the accusation, claiming he was merely throwing away garbage and the explosion occurred after he left the area.

Investigators searched the man's room on the 4th floor of the same condominium and found birthday candles, similar to the type found at the scene, inside the suspect's car.

In the man's bag, police also found pieces of firecrackers, which no longer had gun powder inside.

The condominium's CCTV camera shows that the former Thai language teacher going in and out of the dumpster room several times, before leaving as the last person at the scene just 1 minute before the explosion was heard.

The authorities have charged Narathorn with possession of explosives and for harmful acts which put others in danger.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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Swine Disease Outbreak Reported in Northeast

Livestock officials in Nong Khai continue working to prevent the further spread of an epidemic affecting swine after an outbreak was reported in many parts of the province.

Officials from the Nong Khai provincial livestock office have inspected pig farms in a number of areas following reports of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, or PRRS, that killed a large number of pigs in the province.

Three districts in the province are now on high alert for the PRRS outbreak. The three districts are Tha Bor, Sri Chiang Mai and Po Tak.

Livestock officials recently reported that a fewer number of pigs are dying from PRRS infection.

In the latest development, the provincial livestock office has teamed up with staff from local administrative organizations to clean and disinfect areas in question to prevent the disease from spreading.

Moreover, mobile units were sent out to help farmers dispose of dead pigs through burial.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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French supermarket giant Carrefour denies that its stores in Malaysia, Singapore will close following reports that it will shut down its SE Asian outlets /MCOT

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Jeff Savage, Briton involved in bloody anti-govt protests, is freed by court after pleading guilty to all charges, to be deported in next few days /MCOT

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Bangkok: Man arrested for explosion behind city condominium

Thailand: Publishing industry prospers during World Cup

Thailand: Water levels remain low despite rainfalls

Thailand: 4 red-shirt leaders plead not guilty in case of besieging Prem's house

Russian conductor Mikhail Pletnev facing sex charges leaves Thailand:

Thailand: Army ranger injured in Yala bomb attack

Thailand ranked by WHO in top 22 high-burden countries fortuberculosis (TB):

Thailand: New US Embassy fees July 2010:

Thailand: Members of unrest probe panel named

Thai officials raid Illegal pharmaceutical facility:

Thailand: Did America create Pattaya?:

Thailand: FLASH NEWS: Bangchak to Slash Pump Prices by Bt0.60/Ltr

PM Abhisit wants case against yellow shirts dealt with promptly:

Environmental bond fund needed: academic

Bangkok: DSI: Blacklisted individuals split into groups based on 'guilt'

Bangkok: CRES to defend itself against allegations

Thailand: Land scandals - Pheu Thai promises to reveal big names

Thailand: Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association (PReMA) puts ethics squeeze on drug sales teams

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topic discussion:

Briton Jeff Savage Freed By Thai Court

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UDD confirms no plan to stage rally soon

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has confirmed no plan to stage any political movement in the near future, says its Deputy Chairperson, Jatuporn Prompan.

Mr Jatuporn dismissed the rumor that the UDD has been preparing to make further political movement as mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban.

Mr Jatuporn, also a Pheu Thai MP, continued to say that the current priority of the UDD group is to help launch election campaigns on behalf of Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, the candidate of the opposition party for the 25 July by-election in Bangkok’s Constituency 6.

Mr Korkaew still cannot run election campaigns himself as he is now detained in the Bangkok Remand Prison on terrorism charges.

Regarding the recent explosion at the coalition Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, the UDD core figure denied any involvement with the incident. He said the two arrested culprits were not the group members.

Mr Korbchai Boonplod, 41, also known as "Ai" and Ms Varisriya Boonsom, 42, also known as "Or", suspected of orchestrating the bomb blast were arrested by the Cambodian authorities in Siem Reap on 3 July 2010 while they were seeking refuge in the neighboring country.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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PM Abhisit unaware of three training grounds for armed UDD members

PM Abhisit unaware of three training grounds for armed UDD members, instructs CRES to investigate; Deputy PM claims groups aim to incite violence

-- TNA 2010-07-08