Thailand Live Friday 9 Jul 2010

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1st meeting of Anand panel greet with protest

About ten activists rallied in front of the Ban Phitsanulok residence where the reform panel of former prime minister Anand Panyarachun held its first meeting Friday.

The protesters called themselves as members of the network of social activists for democracy. They were led by Wannakiart Chusuwan, who read a statement opposing the work of the Anand panel.

The statement said the Anand panel was formed only as a ploy of the government to buy time instead of returning the mandate to the people through an election.

The protesters arrived in front of Ban Phisanulok at 1:30 pm. They lied down on the road in front of the entrance and painted their body red.

When Anand arrived inside his car, he got of the car and walked past the protesters and got it his car again to go inside the residence's compound.

-- The Nation 2010-07-09

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Democrat Insists Red-shirt Boot Camps Exist

The Democrat Party leader's personal spokesman is standing by his claim that red-shirt weapon training activities exist in Ratchaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima despite the fact that authorities found no evidence to support his claim.

The Democrat leader's personal spokesman Thepthai Senapong has asked all security agencies to be more dedicated and thoroughly investigate suspected red-shirt boot camps in Ratchaburi's Suan Peung district and Nakhon Ratchasima's Pakthongchai district since locals have reported the activities.

Thepthai stated that red-shirt elements may have fled to a neighboring country after he made the announcement.

However, he is confident the camps will be found and the involved suspects will be arrested.

Key red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan commented that arrests must be made if the Democrat Party spokesman's claim is true.

Thepthai added that if red-shirt boot camps are found, Jatuporn will deny the allegations and say it was a government set-up.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said that he will file charges against the Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai for labeling him as a "liar".

Thepthai has disagreed with the lawsuit stating that Prompong should be more respectful to Chuan as he is a senior politician.

Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsup said both the prime minister and Deputy Prime minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban are abusing their authority to prolong the emergency rule because it will be pose major obstacles to red-shirt regrouping.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-09

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World Cup Fever Bloats Postcard Sales

Citizens across the nation have given much interest to raffle postcards allowing them to guess the winning team of the World Cup.

World Cup 2010 outcome guess postcards have gained strong interest from soccer fans in Pattani, following the passage of Spain and the Netherlands to the final.

Pattani's post office has prepared to accommodate the increased public interest and post employees have already begun to stock up post cards in anticipation of huge sales.

The increased prize money this year has bolstered interest in the lucky draw compared to the soccer tournament four years ago. Over 1 million cards have been sold so far.

In Satun province, local lucky draw enthusiast Torn Chaengsawang has purchased 200 postcards with 100 devoted to Spain and the other half for the Netherlands. Over 330,000 postcards have reportedly been sold in Satun alone.

Soccer fever is also high in Loei province, where a local vocational college organized the World Street Football event featuring memorabilia, a soccer-themed fashion show and other activities designed to raise funds for the institute.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-09

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SET index closed at 820.6, up 3.03; Bt/USD31.97; GBP48.37; AUD27.77; EUR40.49; CAD30.40; HKD4.06; SGD23.07; JPY35.82

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Saturday 10 July 2010

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