Thailand Live Tuesday 13 Jul 2010

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Decision against actor-turned-activist Methi postponed

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The prosecutor has resolved to put off the decision whether to lay charges against Mr Methi Amornwutthikul, an actor-turned-anti-government protester, for another 30 days.

The adjournment of the public prosecutors' ruling was due to the pending investigative results from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Mr Methi is alleged of instigating social unrest and illegally possessing war weapons. He also confessed his involvement in the violent clashes between security forces and protesters of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) during the April mayhem, which left several fatalities and injuries on both sides. The actor-turned-activist admitted that he was one of the protesters executing armed attacks against the government officers.

Mr Methi was arrested on 22 April and has been put in police custody since then. The defendant will be released on 14 July upon the expiry of the detention period.

-- NNT 2010-07-13

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Cambodians Plan 'Day of Anger' against Thailand

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Thai Khemkhaeng ready to welcome Democrats

Thai Khemkaeng Party leader Manas Panich conceded on Tuesday he was close to the Democrats but the new party was formed out of his love for politics without any linkage to the party dissolution case.

"In the future, should their party be disbanded, I don't think it would be unusual if the Democrats want to move to my party," he said.

Manas said in case of party disbandment, the Democrats would have no choice but to adopt a new political home.

He said he wanted to build his new party based on his stronghold in Hat Yat where he runs a construction business.

-- The Nation 2010-07-13

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Cabinet approves Bt7 billion to increase health subsidy

The Cabinet Tuesday approved Bt7biliion for increasing subsidy for the free healthcare programme.

A part of the increased budget would be used for increasing the subsidy per head from by Bt145 from Bt2,401 to Bt2,546.

The Cabinet also approved the National Health Security Office (NHSO) board's proposal to include treatment of Aids, kidney failure and hypertension in the free healthcare programme.

-- The Nation 2010-07-13

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Hundreds, if not thousands, of Thai workers will work as blueberry pickers in Finland over the next few months. Wage is about Bt160,000. /via @Urisara_NT

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Public vans aged over 10 years allowed to serve passengers till year-end

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Ten to fifteen-year-old public vans with the engines adapted to use NGV are allowed to serve the people for six more months, according to the Transport Ministry.

Deputy Transport Minister Suchart Chokchaiwattanakorn cited that in accordance with the law enforcement from 1 July 2010, public vans with 10 years lifetime but not over 14 years and with the engines adapted to use NGV since 2009 would be allowed to serve passengers for six more months or till year end.

However, those vans aged 15 years and over are prohibited for safety purpose. Currently, there are 50 vans of 7-14 years lifetime and 120 vans of 15-20 years old.

This exception is made due to the law issued on service prohibition of vans aged over 10 years, but as those public van operators have changed their engines for NGV use before the resolution established, the Ministry allows them to extend the services. However, the prohibition still cover vans with no changes made to their engines.

-- NNT 2010-07-13

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Phuket Ironman scales Mont Blanc; then goes off to swim The Channel

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Suthep shrugs off rumor of dissolving House

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary General of the ruling Democrat Party Suthep Thaugsuban denies the rumor of the government’s intention to dissolve the House before the party’s donation case reaches the verdict.

Mr Suthep stated firmly that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party executives had never thought of dissolving the House and called a fresh election to flee the problem.

However, Mr Suthep admitted that he was concerned about the Democrat Party’s donation trial currently under the consideration of the Constitutional Court.

The deputy prime minister also denied the news about the registration of a new party “Strong Thailand” as a substitute in case the Democrat Party was disbanded. He affirmed that the Democrat Party leader and executives had never been involved in such an activity.

-- NNT 2010-07-13

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Thai Air Force insists on buying Swedish Gripen jet fighters

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Bangkok: Three Iranians nabbed in two 'ice' smuggling cases at Suvarnabhumi airport

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to be continued

Thailand Live Wednesday 14 July 2010

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