Thailand Live Wednesday 21 Jul 2010

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Democrat Party Bracing for Trial in Dissolution Case

The Democrat Chief Advisor called a meeting with legal team members this afternoon to discuss the plan to defend the Democrat from the party dissolution case as a member of Democrat Party's advisory board claims the party has a clear approach in dealing with the case.

The Democrat Party's advisory board member, Suthat Ngernmeun said he has reviewed case files in the allegations involving the 258-million baht campaign donation, but refused to comment due to the sensitivity of the issue.

However, Suthat stated that his party has a clear approach in dealing with the case.

Asked about reports that his party has invited the Department of Special Investigation Director-General Tharit Pengdit to be a witness, the Democrat adviser said he needs to discuss the matter with the party's legal team first.

Suthat added that the party's Chief Advisor, Chuan Leekpai, called a meeting of advisory members and legal staff this afternoon, to talk through their approach to the case again.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-21

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Motorbike Taxi Driver Arrested for Fatal Robbery of 13-Yr-Old Boy

A motorbike taxi driver has been arrested following stabbing a 13-year-old boy to death while robbing the 3rd grader his mobile phone.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau 8 have arrested 29-year-old Wisut Ngarmsa-ard, a motorbike taxi driver accused of killing 13-year-old Kittipop Puangsombut, and robbing him of his mobile phone on July 4th.

The suspect confessed to his crime, elaborating that he stabbed the boy to death because the victim was trying to fight back. He added that he normally makes attacks on Soi Prachauthit 79 and would pick on women and children whenever there was a chance.

Wisut said he would trade stolen goods for cash at shops in the Klongtom area, and spend the money to feed his family of four and for his wife to buy drugs.

According to Police, the suspect committed more than a dozen robberies and had been jailed twice before.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-21

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'Red Siam' to Hold Birthday Celebration for Thaksin in Ratchaburi

The Ratchaburi Provincial Authority is stepping up security ahead of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's birthday celebration organized by a red-shirt splinter group.

'Red Siam', a splinter group from the red-shirt movement, plans to hold a birthday celebration for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on July 25th in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi province.

The Governor of Ratchaburi, Suthep Komolpamon, said that the provincial authority has been informed of the group's plan and is increasing security efforts ahead of the event.

Suthep believes the organizer will not use the opportunity to fuel the ongoing political conflict.

The provincial authority urges 'Red Siam' to respect the law and not to violate others' rights. Uniformed and plain-clothed security forces will be deployed at the event to oversee security.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-21

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Miss Thailand World contestants in Phuket for 'training'

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Sale of alcoholic drinks is prohibited in Constituency 6 in Bangkok from 6pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday. /via @RichardBarrow

Where is constituency 6 in Bangkok? => North-East Bangkok covering over 400 square kilometres /RT @MarcusBurtBKK /via @RichardBarrow

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Pheu Thai to hold election campaign rally at Siam City Park Friday

Pheu Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung will lead other Pheu Thai MPs to campaign for party candidate Kokaew Pikultong at Siam City Park on Friday.

The campaign rally for the by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6 will start at 3 pm at the main ground in front of the amusement park, Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsup said.

He said the party expected the rally would draw about 10,000 supporters.

The by-election is held on Sunday.

-- The Nation 2010-07-21

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TERROR SUSPECT

Surachai offered new proposal in exchange of information

By The Nation

Department of Special Investigation has come up with new proposal for Surachai Tewarat, a terror suspect who refused to confess his suspected involvement during the Bangkok violence in May.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said Wednesday that his department will offer Surachai, a right hand man of slain Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol that his wife and his mother who are allegedly involved in sting operation to buy war weapons would not be prosecuted if he agrees to reveal information concerning the violence.

His wife and mother would turn into witness in the trial, Tharit said.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said he assigned the investigation team who will within a few days question Surachai at the Bangkok Remand prison as Surachai.

Surachai initially agreed to reveal information to police but he changed his mind after meeting a team of lawyers from Opposition Pheu Thai Party.

-- The Nation 2010-07-21

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Court to Decide on Thaksin's Asset Freeze Appeal

The Supreme Court has set August 11 as the date it will decide whether to accept the appeal on the asset freeze case of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin and his family has had 46 billion baht frozen.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-21

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Pheu Thai invites foreign envoys, media to exhibition of crackdowns

The Pheu Thai Party has invited foreign envoys and media to visit its exhibition of the government's crackdowns on the red-shirt protesters, Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsup said Wednesday.

The exhibition titled "Seven Days, Seven Pains" is being held on the first floor and second floor of the partys' head office.

Jirayu said the foreign envoys and reporters would visit the exhibition Thursday.

Jirayu said the ambassadors of five nations had already agreed to visit the exhibition. They are the ambassadors from Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Nigeria and Laos.

-- The Nation 2010-07-21

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Airport Rail Link to begin commercial operation Aug 23 from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi Airport; baggage check-in system fully operational at year end /MCOT

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Four Iranians arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport smuggling 111 packages of 'ice' weighing 1kg valued at Bt 3.5 million by swallowing /MCOT

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SET index closed at 830.93, up 6.52; Bt/USD31.90; GBP48.72; AUD27.93; EUR41.01; CAD30.49; HKD4.05; SGD23.12; JPY36.30

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Local Martial Arts School Donates Computer Sets To Pattaya Police Station

Narcotics Officers In Sattahip Arrest Further Suspected Drug Dealer

Cambodian Sailors Given Tour Of Thai Navy Frigate

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Nuclear power plant feasibility study ready by year-end

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Suvarnabhumi Airport Link to start commercial operation Aug 23

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UPDATE

Thai court permits Russian musician Pletnev to leave country for second time

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Thursday 22 July 2010

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