Thailand Live Thursday 8 Jul 2010

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Red-shirt Leaders Deny Trespassing Charges

Four leaders of the anti-government red-shirt movement have denied charges they stormed the private residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda following the indictment yesterday.

Bangkok Remand Prison officials escorted red-shirt leaders Veera Musikapong, Nuttawut Saikua, Wiputalaeng Pattanaphumthai and Weng Tojirakarn to the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court this morning.

The four were summoned by the court to respond as defendants to charges of violating the Emergency Decree, illegal possession of weapons, disturbing public peace, trespassing and defying police order.

The charges, brought up by the Attorney-General's Office, stemmed from the four's leading of red-shirt protesters to rally in front of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda's Si Sao Tewes residence on July 22, 2007. The protest escalated into unrest.

All the defedants denied the charges. A court review of evidence is scheduled for August 23.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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Anand names reform panel members

By The Nation

Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun Thursday announced the members of their reform committee.

Anand appointed 19 more members to his reform committee. They are:

1) Kritsanapong Kiratikor, former secretary-general of the Higher Education Commission

2) Khunying Kasama Worawan na Ayutthaya, former secretary-general of Basic Education Commission

3) Chai-anan Samudvanijaya, principal of the Vajiravudh School

4) Narong Pengprasert, a lecturer of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science

5) Nidhi Eoseewong, former rector of the Midnight University

6) Banthorn Ondam, an academic on people's participation in politics

7) Pranee Thinnakorn, a lecturer of Thammasat University's Faculty of Economics

8) Pongpayome Wasaphuti, former permanent secretary for Interior Ministry

9) Permsak Makarapirom, a member of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council

10) Phra Phaisal Wisalo, abbot of Wat Pa Sukhato

11) Ratchanee Thongchai, principal of Children's Village School

12) Wichai Chokwiwat, deputy chairman of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation

13) Wiriya Namsiripongphan, a member of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council

14) Srisakkorn Wallipodom, an academic on history

15) Somchai Ruchuphan, former director-general of the Revenue Department

16) Sompong Wienchan, a leader of Pakmul villagers

17) Somsuk Boonyabancha, former director of the Community Development Institution

18) Seksan Prasertkul, former dean of Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science

19) MR Akin Rapipat, chairman of the Thai Communities Foundation.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Phuket woman arrested for 'karaoke' slot machines

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FM to hire US consulting firm for public relations campaign abroad

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Finance Ministry is prepared to hire a consulting firm in the United State to create positive image of the Thai economy in the eyes of foreign media, so as to regain foreign investors’ confidence.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij stated that the Ministry was in the process of hiring a US consulting firm to run public relations campaigns on the Thai economy. This will help create a positive image and regain foreign businesspersons’ confidence in the Thai economic system.

The Minister viewed that appropriate presentation would be a chance for the country to be promoted as an attractive destination of long-term investment. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary for Finance Satit Limpongpan said the public relations campaign by the US consulting firm involve the Government’s policy and economic activities to inform investors on Thai economic situation and its trends.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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Extended detention of 11 UDD leaders approved

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Criminal Court has approved the police investigator's request to detain 11 anti-government leaders for another 12 days for further questioning.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Thursday sought the third detention of the 11 core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) for terrorism. The court sentenced the group to 12 more days of detention during 9-20 July 2010.

The 11 UDD key figures currently held for terrorism comprise Mr Veera Musikapong, Mr Nattawut Saikua, Mr Kwanchai Praipana, Mr Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, Mr Yosawarit Chuklom, Mr Nisit Sinthuprai, MD Weng Tochirakarn, Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, Mr Bhumkitti Sukchindathong, Mr Sombat Makthong and Mr Amnat Intarachote. All of them have been incarcerated at the Bangkok Remand Prison.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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Thailand: Final meeting for Pattaya International Fireworks Contest

Thailand: Narcotics officers arrest suspected drug dealer in Sattahip

Thailand: Oman tourist demands meeting with Pattaya Mayor after alleged theft by taxi driver

Pattaya: Insomnia nightclub on Walking Street raided by police and health officials

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Phuket punters mourn as World Cup favorites fall

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Islamic meetings underway in Phuket

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No Evidence Found for Anti-government Boot Camp

Nakhon Ratchasima provincial police have inspected an area suspected to be a boot camp for an anti-government movement, but have not found any evidence for such an actitity.

Provincial Police Bureau 3 Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Dechawat Ramsompop cited a claim made by Democrat leader's personal spokesman Thepthai Senapong that the Khao Lomfan area in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pakthongchai distrcit is being used by a political group as a boot camp and weapons training facility.

Such a claim has prompted the authorities to launch an investigation but no evidence was found to comfirm it.

Meanwhile, after the state of emergency was lifted in some northeastern provinces, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chaiyaphum are still protected by the Emergency Decree to ensure maximum efficiency of security operations.

Also, ten more suspects have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in an arson attack at the Ubon Ratchathani provincial hall.

The case has been transferred to the Department of Special Investigation for further proceeding.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-08

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Farm chemicals pollute village tap systems

The Chaiyaphum's Phu Laenkha headwaters have been contaminated with agricultural chemicals, prompting natural tap water systems at two villages to be suspended and a special clinic opened to treat locals suffering from allergic skin problems.

The 1,134-strong Ban Chilong and 800-strong Ban Mai Pha Aing had been affected by the chemicals, which were used by farmers at some 30,000 rai of rubber, tapioca and orange plantations, contaminating the Pha Aiang Fall and Lam Pa Tao waterways.

Provincial governor Wanchai Suthiworachai along with related agencies Thursday inspected the area after a test result confirmed the chemical contamination.

Suspending the tap water systems until the water was deemed safe to use, Wanchai said he would send officials to improve the water quality and provide regular water-quality testing.

He also instructed the Muang district chief to check the area's registered farmers to see if anyone overused chemicals and to punish the wrongdoers by removing them from the registration list.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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Zoo breeds rare gold Thai python

The Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo has become the world's first to succeed in breeding the very rare "gold Thai python" (Molur bivittatus) with 30 healthy baby pythons.

The zoo said, after one year, it would distribute the baby pythons to zoos nationwide so the public could learn about this species which is unique to Thailand.

-- The Nation 2010-07-08

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People warned of heavy rains during 8-10 July

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior has warned people in some areas of the country of heavy rains during 8-10 July 2010.

DDPM Director-General Anucha Mokkavej warned people residing on foothills and lowlands in northwestern, central, eastern and upper southern parts of Thailand to be highly alert of weather conditions and follow up weather reports closely as heavy rains were in the forecast from 8 to 10 July. He also indicated high chances of flash floods and mudslides, especially in the mentioned areas.

However, Mr Anucha stated that the department would coordinate with its officials in risky provinces to closely monitor the situation and was ready to distribute aid kits to local residents in case they were affected by disasters.

For emergency assistance, people can contact the DDPM Hotline 1784 around the clock.

-- NNT 2010-07-08

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to be continued

Thailand Live Friday 9 July 2010

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