Thailand Live Tuesday 20 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Tuesday 20 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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Keep up to date with live updates from the news, hour by hour.

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

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who wish to follow the news can find it here...

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Related topic: Thailand Live Monday 19 July 2010

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Police, DSI to Expedite Probe into Red-Shirt Protesters' Deaths

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister urged authorities to speed up the investigation into the fatalities that occurred during the recent political unrest in Bangkok, particularly the deaths of 6 red-shirt demonstrators whose bodies were found in a temple near the city's main shopping area.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he has urged Police and the Department of Special Investigation to proceed quickly in their inquiry into what happened during the recent political unrest in Bangkok, and that he has demanded full reports regarding civilian casualties.

He specifically referred to the deaths of 6 red-shirt protesters who were found at the Prathumwanaram Temple.

The premier said arresting the perpetrators is crucial to progress in the case and collecting evidence.

Meanwhile, he noted that authorities are conducting further investigation into the case involving Surachai Thewarat, a close aid of the deceased radical red-shirt, Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, infamously known as Seh Daeng.

Regarding the decision made by the independent fact-finding committee for national reconciliation to invite foreign experts to help in the task, Abhisit said he believes that international expertise will improve the panel's efficiency and capacity. He added that he did not see it as interference.

The prime minister went on to say that the Cabinet will be considering to revoke the state of emergency in certain provinces tomorrow, even though it has not yet received the recommendations of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.

He denied being pressured by public opinion into canceling it, saying that it has always been the government's intent to lift the emergency rule as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson and acting Deputy Leader of the New Politics Party, Samran Rodpetch voiced support for the

state of emergency to be terminated entirely, saying that the prolonged implementation of the emergency law will only subvert the government and could draw criticism from the international community.

He suggested the government focus on effective enforcement of ordinary laws instead.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-20

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Thailand’s Muslim Spiritual leader appeals for peace and unity in the nation

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Thailand’s 18th Muslim Spiritual leader, Aziz Phitakkumpol, pleaded for Thais to enhance peace and unity in the nation.

Speaking at the Darul Ahman Mosque during his visit to the northernmost Chiang Rai province, Mr Aziz was glad and

overwhelmed to meet Thai-Muslim citizens living in harmony, having respected social status, and able to help one another.

Mr Aziz would like to see peace and unity restored among Thai-Muslim citizens across the country particularly in the Deep South of Thailand, where reality has been distorted and projected around the world by European and US mainstream media.

As for his mission to serve Muslim community in the South, Mr Aziz would like to see the establishment of the International Islamic University providing holistic education in medical, engineering, law and etc. Continuity of the task had been pledged, as previous failures resulted from the short-term administration. He then appealed for unity in Thailand for His Majesty the King.

-- NNT 2010-07-20

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MISSING SIGN

Rajprasong street sign removed for cleaning

By THE NATION

Published on July 20, 2010

There is no trouble in Rajprasong any more. In fact, there is not even a sign marking that area.

After the months-long red-shirt rally at the intersection came to a bloody end, people started regarding it as a deadly place, and |the Pathumwan district authorities decided yesterday to remove the street sign.

The sign was used by many to express their political opinions. Activist Sombat Boonngamanong was arrested last month for tying a red cloth around it to commemorate the military crackdown.

Sombat and his fellow activists launched a "dead people at Rajprasong" campaign to |counter the government's attempt to ignore the bloodshed. In fact, state and city authorities have tried to get the shopping centres up and running and even organised fun events in the area - as if to say nothing had ever happened there.

However, activists are doing their part to annoy the authorities.

On Sunday, activist Nathee Sorawaree was fined Bt100 for disturbing the peace as he walked up and down the intersection shouting "I see dead people."

Pathumwan district chief Worapot Intulak said he had ordered the Rajprasong street sign be removed for cleaning purposes, because it was filthy and covered with graffiti.

"We suspect the sign was marked by the anti-government group, but we don't know who exactly. So we just lodged a petition with police and removed it for cleaning," he said.

District authorities will reinstall the street sign as soon as the cleaning is done, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Thai Restriction Of Speech "Not Helpful" : British MP

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TERRORIST TRIAL

Taiwan denies Surachai being trained on its soil

By The Nation

Taiwan yesterday dismissed allegations that it was being used as training ground for a suspected terrorist who had close connections with late Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, as well as the red-shirt movement.

Taipei's Office of Economic and Culture sent a diplomatic note to the Foreign Ministry asking Thai authorities to clarify a report filed by the Department of Special Investigation that terrorist suspect Surachai "Rang" Thewarat was getting trained in armed combat in Taiwan.

The office said the report was groundless since Taiwanese authorities had no records of Surachai entering its territory over the past year.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Jewellery vanished 'after DSI put it on display'

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Reporter's car shot up

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A car belonging to Somyos Soponwimonrat, a reporter for Daily News and TV Channel 7, was riddled with 11 gunshots while parked within his house compound in Pathum Thani's Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Soi 26 early yesterday morning.

Somyos told police he just bought the car on July 12 and was transferring ownership. He said he was woken at 4.30am by gunshot sounds in front of the house but thought juveniles had lit a firecracker as a prank, so he went back to sleep. He said he had no conflict with anyone.

Initial police inquiries found the bullets came from two pis?tols and that around the time of the attack a nearby security camera captured a dark grey Vios car with no licence plate and three people in it passing the house. Given the incident looked like a threat, police suspected Somyos' work as journalist may be reason for the attack - or the car's previous owner may have a conflict with someone.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Health threat: many Thais 'seriously lack' iodine

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry will launch a programme to boost the consumption of iodine by pregnant women, young babies and the public after finding many people seriously lack iodine in their diet.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said iodine was important to help children develop their intellectual quotient. He spoke after the first annual meeting of the National Committee for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders yesterday.

A recent survey by the Department of Health showed the intellectual development of children under five dropped drastically over the eight years to 2007.

A study involving 6,000 children from some 21 provinces by the Health Systems Research Institute revealed an average IQ - intellectual quotient - of just 91 points, only one point over the international standard (between 90 to 100 points).

Additionally, the number of women found with low levels of iodine in their diet in recent annual surveys was 60 per cent - a threat to their children's health and development.

The ministry found people in nine provinces - Rayong, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Maha Sarakham, Amnat Charoen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Nan and Nakhon Pathom - suffered severe iodine deficiency.

To lift iodine consumption among the public, Jurin said a new programme would provide free iodine supplements - produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation - to women across the country.

Newborn children would receive the supplements immediately if doctors found they lacked thyroid hormones, which is a sign of iodine deficiency.

The National Committee for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders is also considering adding iodine to food products such as eggs, fish sauce and yellow bean sauce.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Law unfair to poor in land cases : defenders

By Janjira Pongrai

Atthayut Budsribhom

The Nation

Defenders of the poor yesterday lamented about how laws - particularly those involving land - more often than not had become tools for the government and the rich to suppress them.

Suttipong Laithip from the South said there were now more than 1,500 disputes over land plots in the Andaman provinces and the rich clearly had an advantage.

"Rich people can file a legal complaint to have poor people fined or evicted," he said at a seminar.

The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science organised the event in collaboration with 21 non-governmental organisations. While the seminar attracted more than 200 people, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey failed to show up - to the dissatisfaction of many participants.

"If key government figures are not here, how can the government solve our problems?" a participant was heard saying.

Satit was scheduled to speak about government policies to tackle poverty and reduce social gaps.

Suttipong said fines imposed on the poor were sometimes as high as Bt1,000 a day, much higher than the Bt100 fines imposed on some law-offending department stores in Bangkok.

"When poor people are in court, we have the honour of facing a high level of bond," Suttipong said sarcastically.

He found it hard to accept that a bond for a poor man could be as high as Bt300,000.

"In the South, convicted poor people rarely receive suspended jail terms," he complained.

Speaking at the same seminar, Prayong Doklamyai from the North said the poor were usually portrayed as encroachers, but that was not always the case.

He said, for example, a 1964 Cabinet resolution offered new land plots for poor people affected by the Bhumibol Dam's construction.

He said some of these villagers received initial documents-but before they could move, authorities suddenly chose to issue land-rights documents based on people occupying the plots at the time of the survey.

"Then, through manipulation, rich people received title deeds for those plots and used them as collateral. When poor people returned to their home provinces during the economic crisis, they found problems accessing their own lands. Banks were taking action against them," Prayong said.

He said negotiations with the government, then led by Thaksin Shinawatra, were fruitless.

"His Cabinet initially offered to launch probes - but just weeks later, authorities seriously pursued charges against poor individuals who had stood up for their rights," Prayong said.

He said up to 109 people had been charged and detained for 59 days pending efforts to seek bail. With bonds set at Bt100,000 per person, it was tough work seeking temporary releases.

"We had to persuade MPs and senators to help," Prayong recounted.

He said the Court of Appeals ordered 19 protest leaders to serve a six-month jail term, but they were petitioning the Supreme Court.

Pramote Phonpinyo from the Northeast questioned why the authorities did not use negotiation to solve disputes.

"They should try administrative measures first, not legal measures," he said.

He also complained that the court usually ignored people's rights in rulings on land disputes.

Bamrung Kayotha, who previously chaired the Assembly of the Poor, said he himself had been convicted in many cases for trying to fight for poor people's rights.

"Prosecution depends very much on what government figures have decided," he said, "For example, we may face immediate action when a new government comes to power".

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Peace centre to gather details on crackdowns

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Peace and Justice Network (PJN) opened a centre yesterday to gather details about operations this year to disperse red-shirt protesters.

People can contact the Information Centre (April-May '10 Crackdowns) by calling 08 6060-5433, or by email via www.peaceandjusticenetwork.org.

The centre aims to gather facts from all sides, including the government. Academics from Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat and Burapha universities have given advice on how to set up and run the centre.

Staff have vowed to dig deep into what happened and demand justice for victims, many of whom the Network believes are reluctant to come forward.

Information gathered by the centre will be made public - presented along with information from the government-sponsored fact-finding panel for national reconciliation.

Chulalongkorn University Associate Professor Kasem Penpinan said some people were arrested merely for being in front of their provincial halls on the night buildings were set ablaze.

"These people did not light fires. But they have been detained," Kasem said.

PJN urged the government-sponsored fact-finding panel to carry out its mission transparently and accountably.

"Only by revealing facts and identifying who should be held responsible for the losses can justice and equal human rights be restored," it said in a statement.

The group said the fact-finding panel should pay equal attention to activities by all sides in the conflict, including the government, the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation, demonstrators and unidentified men.

"The panel should also present urgent solutions and recommend the government lift the state of emergency."

In a related development, police seized signal-transmission devices from a red-shirt radio station yesterday.

The Punim Radio station became the fourth "red station" to be shut down since the government declared the state of emergency.

Deputy superintendent at Mae Ping Police Station Lt-Colonel Sampan Sirima said action was taken against Punim Radio because it allowed "red" radio host Jakrapab Borirak to mobilise people politically.

Punim, or Prateep Tassaneeyaporn, would also face legal action because he was the registered operator of the radio station.

"He has violated the state-of-emergency decree," Sampan said.

More than 80 community radio stations have been blacklisted since the decree was enforced. Nearly 30 have been shut down.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Rights groups call for halt to Burmese repatriations, abuses

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Local and international labour advocacy groups yesterday issued an open letter to the prime minister calling on him to stop mass repatriation of illegal Burmese immigrant workers, and to investigate persecution against them on their home soil.

The workers, in Kayin state through which they are sent back, have had money extorted from them by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which has a stronghold there, the letter said. Many had been "transferred" to labour agencies for later smuggling into Thailand.

Women have been forced or lured into prostitution, while many men are made to work as porters for the Burmese military, said the letter, which was signed jointly by Human Rights Watch and the influential State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation of Thailand.

Thailand is overhauling its immigrant labour industry by registering those lawfully hired by Thai employers, and sending home those not registered by a February 28 deadline. Those missing the deadline are sent home through the Burmese town of Myawaddy, in Kayin state across the Moei River from Mae Sot, Tak province, with cooperation from Rangoon.

Among the many violations of the workers' human rights, mainly by the DKBA, are torture, assaults, brutal acts and violation of human dignity, said the letter. It also claimed that sweep arrests and repatriation of workers were not effective, and had instead driven those missing the registration into hiding and to continue working illegally in Thailand.

The groups called on the Thai government to investigate violation of the workers' human rights and punish officials found guilty. Also, repatriation should cease immediately until the verification of claims about the violations is complete, and Thai officials should stop sweep searches and arrests and reopen nationwide registration.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Abhisit's charm and schmoozing are losing their spell

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Ministerial regulation on Thailand infrastructure provided for disabled people

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DSI Drops Illegal Funding Case against TPI

The special investigation agency has dropped charges against a petroleum firm over the alleged manipulation of its money to sponsor the Democrat Party's election campaigns through an advertising agency.

Director-general of the Department of Special Investigation, Tharit Pengdit, stated the agency has decided to drop charges of violating the Securities and Exchange Act against TPI Polene by allegedly hiring Messiah Business and Creation for 263 million baht to produce advertisement materials for Democrat candidates during their election campaigns. This could be a violation of the election law.

The charges led to the dissolution case against the Democrat Party for alleged receipt of a donation that exceeded the legal limit.

The DSI chief said the plaintiff cannot provide clear details to support his complaint while the allegation is based on hearsay.

Tharit continued that the existing evidence, such as financial accounts and employment contracts of Messiah, showed it had really carried out the work for TPI Polene while there is no proof that the latter violated the law.

Tharit declined to comment if the decision was made in favor of the ruling Democrat Party.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, also leader of the ruling Democrat Party, insisted no politicians meddled in the DSI's decision and the department's work is free from political intervention.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-20

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Thai banks report robust earnings

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Suspect in red-shirt violence reneges on cooperation vow

By THE NATION

Terror suspect Surachai Thewarat has decided not to cooperate in volunteering information about armed violence during the red-shirt protests in May, despite saying last week he would do so.

Department of Investigation (DSI) sources said the suspect changed his mind after learning he would not be granted legal immunity in exchange for his information, as he was allegedly responsible for eight grenade and firefight attacks during the protests as well as dealing with military weapons.

The DSI had earlier agreed to give protection to his mother, wife and a young child. The sources said the suspect might have lost interest in the deal because red-shirt members who visited him at the prison could have made their own promises to take care of his family, in return for him refusing to cooperate.

Surachai said last week he might provide details about the attacks and certain ex-police and military officers who helped plan them. Some of the attacks employed military weapons and resulted in many deaths.

The sources said Surachai's disqualification from legal immunity because of his inexcusable crimes was similar to the case of former model Methee Amornwitthikul, who was arrested after the protests ended for possession of military weapons, and later had his details-for-immunity proposal turned down.

The DSI yesterday paraded at a press conference weapons it says it bought from Surachai in a sting, saying the suspect ran out of money after the protests and tried to raise funds urgently by selling the items.

In return for Bt60,000, the DSI said, Surachai sold to Navy undercover agents four AK-47 assault rifles and 14 magazines, two M79 grenade launchers and 12 grenades, 25 hand grenades and a large number of M16 and AK-47 munitions.

The AK-47 rifles could have been smuggled into Thailand, as they carried Chinese lettering and were not government-issued weapons for Thai troops, the DSI said, adding that Surachai's asking price of Bt100,000 had been reduced by Bt40,000 after a deal between him and the agents.

Director-general Tharit Phengdit said the DSI's initial conclusion that the suspect was behind eight attacks, out of more than 60 in total, was not an exaggeration, and that Surachai's team was only one of many.

Tharit indicated that Surachai's acts were linked to the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), which organised the red-shirt protests.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the DSI's statements over the sting operation were suspicious. He wondered why the agents did not arrest him during the operation, and why the DSI did not carry out a second sting to arrest more people as it had suggested earlier.

"If there are really other persons involved, the DSI is supposed to take swift and drastic action to arrest all suspects, given the seriousness of their crimes," he said.

The opposition party brought Surachai's wife and mother to a press conference, saying they and the party had lodged an appeal asking for fairness for the suspect to prevent him being a scapegoat.

His wife, Duen, said that if her husband really worked for late Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, as stated by the DSI, he would have had sufficient money, yet he asked for money from his mother and lived in a rented house.

-- The Nation 2010-07-20

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Navy Salvages Tsunami Sensor Buoy

The Region 3 Naval Fleet has salvaged the Tsunami warning buoy installed in the Indian Ocean after it drifted away last month.

The buoy was badly damaged and has been sent to the National Disaster Warning Center for repairs.

Region 3 Naval Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Ruangthip Thienthong said the Royal Thai Navy has salvaged a Tsunami warning buoy stationed in the Indian Ocean that mysteriously drifted away in June.

The buoy was discovered 350 kilometers east of the Pang-nga Naval Base.

Officials from the National Disaster Warning Center, or NDWC, and Raydant International boarded the Bang Pakong warship to salvage the buoy.

The buoy has been severely damaged and will be sent to the NDWC for repairs on its warning lights and solar cells.

Raydant International Manager Orasa Paenghom stated that the NDWC has ordered the parts needed to repair the buoy.

She is confident the bouy will be back in operation by November.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-20

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Lifting emergency in some provinces tops Cabinet agenda

BANGKOK: -- The weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday is expected to focus on considering lifting the emergency decree in additional provinces after revoking the law in five provinces on July 6.

The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva minus Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who is on an official visit to China.

Mr Suthep directs the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) which supervised security operations during the anti-government protests of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Despite some continued anti-government movement in some areas, the premier said earlier that the emergency decree enforced in 19 provinces, including the capital, may be lifted by the Cabinet this week where normalcy has returned and the government’s reconciliation programme is making headway.

The emergency decree has been enforced in Bangkok, its surrounding provinces and in the North and Northeastern provinces since April 7 as the so-called Red Shirt group demonstrated in Bangkok and a number of other provinces. The UDD ended its protest following an army operation to retake the protest site on May 19.

The five provinces where the decree was lifted by the Cabinet on July 6 were Si Sa Ket, Nan, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Pathom and Kalasin.

Mr Abhisit said he could not yet identify which provinces could remain under the emergency decree after this week’s Cabinet meeting as concerned government agencies are assessing the overall situation, especially CRES.

Asked if the planned lifting of the emergency decree in some provinces resulted from social pressure, Mr Abhisit explained he had said repeatedly it should be lifted as soon as possible but should be carried out cautiously, as unrest could occur and affect the country later. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-07-20

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PM instructs DSI to probe case of missing Bt5 mln diamond seized from Red Shirts

PM instructs DSI to probe case of missing Bt5 mln diamond seized from Red Shirts during May 19 riot.

Justice Minister vows to take legal action against anyone involved

-- TNA 2010-07-20

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Man arrested for throwing feces at Democrat Party HQ, claims he isn't satisfied with government's performance /via @MCOT

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Same Man Arrested for Throwing Feces at Democrat HQ

A man has been arrested for throwing feces at the Democrat Party headquarters. He claims he isn't satisfied with the government's performance.

The man is the same man who did the same thing months ago and was jailed for 15 days.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-20

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Food poisoning outbreak hits Phuket school

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Phuket to get first 'Health Promoting Hospital' in Thailand

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Man feared missing in Thailand calls family in the UK

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Loxley: 3G available this year

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Internet Cafe Busted for Allowing Students in During School Hours

The authorities have raided an internet cafe that was allowing students in during school hours.

The Provincial Police of Nakhon Si Thammarat and officials from the Ministry of Education raided Club Online, an internet cafe located in a commercial building, behind a major shopping mall in the Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Officials discovered 35 eighth and ninth graders in the cafe playing computer games during school hours.

The students gave authorities all of their information before their schools were contacted to come pick them up.

The internet cafe owner has been charged with violating his business permit and for allowing the students in during school hours.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-20

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Public Health Ministry ready for Conson victims

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Public Health has instructed its medical personnel to be ready to provide medical and public health services to victims affected by tropical storm Conson and other diseases in the post-flood period.

According to Permanent Secretary for Public Health, MD Paijit Warachit, emergency medical teams across the country have been assigned to care for people affected by the tropical storm. Hotline 1669 of the Ministry will be open around the clock.

Conson tropical storm has triggered torrential rainfall, flashflood, and mudslide in the northern province of Nan although its intensity was downgraded to a depression when it reached Vietnam. A trail of heavy damages has been left, and several areas have been inundated.

No casualties have been reported so far in Nan province. Water level has subsided in some areas, while the others' remain high, at about one meter. Nan Provincial Public Health Office has dispatched three teams of officials to distribute 400 sets of household medicine and 2,700 pairs of boots to villagers.

Residents in flooded areas have been educated on hygienic conducts to avoid polluting water as well as spread or get any waterborne diseases, notably Leptospirosis, which can be found in the post-flood period. Hospitals and health stations have in stock 10,000 pills of Doxycycline, a type of antibiotic used in curing the disease.

-- NNT 2010-07-20

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Thai government says lifting state of emergency in 3 provinces, not Bangkok /via @REUTERSFLASH

INN: Cabinet lifts emergency decree in Lampang, Roi Et, Sakol Nakorn; decree in force in 16 remaining provinces /via @TAN_Network

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Japanese tour operators observe business opportunities in Ubon Ratchathani