Thailand Live Thursday 22 Jul 2010

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Thailand Live Thursday 22 July 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

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

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Related topic: Thailand Live Wednesday 21 July 2010

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Special Report: Asalha Puja Day

Another holy day in Buddhism, ‘Asalha Puja Day’ is marked as the day when the first sermon of the Lord Buddha was given to his first five disciples Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji after his enlightenment. Kondanna became the first Buddhist monk, completing the Triple Gem of Buddhism, the Lord Buddha, his teachings, Dhamma, and Sangha, the Buddhist monks.

The Lord Buddha delivered what is known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, or the Wheel of Dharma. The main theme involves the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, and the way to end suffering. These truths are universal truths.

Asalha Puja Day falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month which is usually in July and Buddhists throughout Thailand and around the world have commemorated this sacred day through several activities with the aim to purify their spirit.

On Asalha Puja Day, Buddhists go to the temple to make merit and practice Dhamma. They also donate basic necessities to the monks and listen to Dhamma preaching to refresh their minds. In the evening, Wian Thian or candle procession ceremony is held, Buddhist participants with the offerings as candles, joss sticks and flowers make candlelit processions around the prayer hall or the pagoda while praying along with the monks. They are bound to avoid alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts and perform good deeds.

This year Asalha Puja Day falls on 26 July, The Government encourages the public to participate in celebrations of the day. Sermons are held in honor of HM the King and for peace and prosperity among Thais. The event will be held on 22-26 July at Buddhamonthon in Nakhon Pathom province, which include Buddhist exhibitions as well as other regional activities.

On 26 July, the celebration will be held in all provinces led by the provincial governors in presenting food offering to monks, practicing Dhamma and performing the Wian Thian ceremony, with the hope to instill Buddhist principles among Thai youth so that they have correct understanding of Dhamma and can bring the Buddhist teachings to be adopted in their lives.

During this sacred occasion, people usually provide offering set to the monk and that some mean operators have raised the price of monk-offering set or even put sub-standard or expired commodities into those basket set for sale. The Government has measures to tackle with those problems.

Officials have been dispatched to survey selling price of monk-offering set to prevent overpricing and sub-standard products sale. Meanwhile, relevant organizations launch a campaign to encourage people to arrange their own offering sets with the suggestion of goods to give the monks, so as to meet the monks’ needs in their routine life.

On the occasion of the Asalha Puja Day, commemorating the official establishment of Buddhism as a world religion, Thai Buddhists are urged to rededicate themselves to Buddhist principles and to embrace the middle path and peace in their society.

-- NNT 2010-07-22

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Barking Deer Loses its Way into a Village

Villagers of Petchaboon were frigthen by a straggle barking deer that lost its way into the village, believing it is would bring portent. Meanwhile, wildlife sanctuary chief points that wild animals often strays into villages, as the area is surrounded by ample forest.

Locals of Nam Lao Village in Petchaboon province gathered over a strayed male barking deer, estimated to be five to seven years and weigh approximately 50 kilograms.

The wild animal was found by 60-year old villager Pleng Keewian in a wearily condition and has injury marks all over its body. He reported to the village chief and Tabo–Huai yai Wildlife Santuary officer to investigate.

Initially, it is speculated that the barking deer may have gotten lost from its herd into the village and was chased by a dog, so it had tried to jump over metal pole fences and got injured.

Nevertheless, the deer was examined and has received basic medical treatment by the district's live stock officer. It has no broken bones and will be sent to the Tabo – Huai yai Wildlife Preservation center, to be nurtured until it is healthy enough to return to the wild.

Tabo-Huay Yai Wildlife Sanctuary chief, Narong Buangrak, stated that the Nam Lao Village is situated right next to the Tad-mok National Park and shares the same land as Phu Keow National Park. Both are said to be ample forest areas, thus it is not a surprising that a number of wild animals live there.

Meanwhile, the local villagers were talking among themselves about the incident.

No one dares to hurt the barking deer, as they fear it will turn to an omen that may disastrous occurrences such as flash floods, which happened before in a village in Nam Kor district.

At that time, some locals had slaughtered the barking deer to make food and later causes flash flood, resulting 22 deaths back in 1976.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Royal Thai Navy to Hold Cross-Harbor Sailing

The Royal Thai Navy announced that it will be organizing the 2010 Hua Hin Regatta and another cross-harbor sailing event next Month, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's coronation.

The Royal Thai Navy and the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand announced that they will be hosting the 2010 Hua Hin Regatta, an annual sailing competition that has been organized since 2000 to honor of His Majesty the King's talent in sailing.

This year's event will take place from August 3 to 8, at Hua Hin Beach in Prachaup Khiri Khan province.

The Royal Thai Navy will also be holding a cross-harbor sailing event between July 31 and August 1. In this competition, some 60 sailors will follow the sailing route formerly taken by His Majesty, traveling across Gulf of Thailand from Toey Ngarm Beach in Chonburi province to Hua Hin Beach.

Both events are organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the His Majesty the King's coronation.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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MISSING JEWELLERIES

Officer ready to undergo lie detector to prove his innocence

Jewellery Vanished 'After Thai DSI Put It On Display'

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Legionnaire's disease outbreak warning in North Thailand

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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE VICTIM FUND BILL

PM asked to stop the bill

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Dr Somsak Lohlekha

A group of doctors led by Medical Council will today ask Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to break the draft of medical malpractice victim fund bill before put in the council's consideration to issue the law as they fear that the bill will increase the medical lawsuits against doctors in a large number.

Dr Prachumporn Boonchareon of Thai Federation of General and Central Hospital's doctors said a group of doctors from Medical Council and representatives from medical professionals will meet Abhisit at Democrat Party headquarter to oppose the plan to issue the medical malpractice victim fund.

Meanwhile, Medical Council's president Dr Somsak Lohlekha said he has asked secretary general Dr Samphan Komrit and council's vice president Dr Prasopsri Ungthavorn to meet PM today to explain about the medical personnel's opinion toward the bill as most of physicians do not agree with the bill.

"Personally, I think some of people would receive benefit from this bill," Somsak said.

The bill will allow patient to find a complaint against doctor to ask compensation when the medical treatment onducted by doctor was mistaken. If they are not pleasure with the compensation given by the fund, collect money from state and private hospital including clinics, patient also could file a criminal complaint against doctors.

"We would like to withdraw this bill from the House of Representative's consideration and carefully revise the content of the bill," Somsak added.

Dr Tapanawong Tanguraiwan of Pranangklao Hospital said a group of doctors at hospital next week will collect their names, dress in black suit and organise a protest march inise the hospital to oppose the bill.

Prachomporn added that the federation on July 30 will also organise a seminar and collect names of doctors who oppose the bill and submit to Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit.

Saree Ongsomwong of Foundation for Consumer, who advocate the bill,said most of doctor do not understand the concept and the content of the bill as they are afriad of facing criminal law suit. The bill, infact, will organise a special criminal procedure for doctor to prove themselves which is much more easy than the normal criminal procedure.

" The bill will also benefit to doctor not only patient," she said

"But it should not be revised."

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Abhisit hands smart card matter over to Interior

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Labour Ministry working to protect workers from employment agencies

By The Nation

Labour Minister Chalermchai Srion

The Labour Ministry is seeking a soft loan to protect workers from being cheated by employment agencies offering them wellpaying jobs overseas.

Labour Minister Chalermchai Srion said yesterday that he would also create a database containing the names of job seekers and give foreign employers direct access in order to reduce costs and stop workers from being cheated.

The soft loan would be sought from stateowned banks, which would help establish and operate the database, he added.

The ministry will also push for governmenttogovernment or governmenttoprivatecompany employment contracts in order to cut down costs and risks as well as guarantee job security.

One of the ministry's primary objectives is to cut each worker's average cost by Bt15,000, which is possible if the employment process can be cut short. He did not give details about how much this would cost on average.

The objective is to also set up a standard rate and ensure that employment agencies charge no more than four months of salary for the entire service. Chalermchai set next month as a deadline for the reduction in the service cost.

The ministry and employment agencies are scheduled to meet today to discuss the new policies. "If they do not cooperate, the ministry may need to regulate the costs using legal measures, which is our last resort," he said.

When Chalermchai visited Udon Thani yesterday to announce his policy, he discovered that 205 complaints had been filed against employment agencies and 158 of them were on trial.

In Udon Thani, where Chalermchai visited and made public his policy yesterday, there were 205 cases of employment cheats lodged with 158 of them on trials. Most people in this Northeastern province seek jobs in Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Israel and Brunei.

This year a total of 1,448 complaints have been lodged across the country, of which 393 are in court.

While launching his campaign, Chalermchai also dispatched 10 teams comprising ministry officials to take on the cheating employment agencies.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Terror suspect offered immunity for confession

By The Nation

A confess-for-immunity deal is being proposed to terror suspect Surachai Thewarat after he refused to cooperate as first promised, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director general Tharit Phengdit said yesterday.

Surachai's wife will also be excluded from prosecution for allegedly taking Bt60,000 in a sting in which militarygrade weapons were sold by him to Navy undercover agents, and his mother and a baby will be put under DSI protection, Tharit said.

Surachai promised last week to give details about the armed violence by redshirt protesters, but changed his mind on Monday after a visit by lawyers representing the Pheu Thai Party, which indirectly supported the protests.

Tharit has not yet set a date to talk with Surachai at Bangkok Remand Prison where he has been detained. He did not give details about the deals that will be offered his wife and mother over the weapons trade.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the DSI was using a "dirty trick" by making up a story to persuade Surachai to speak out. He also said the DSI was manipulating the suspect by using the arms deal to pressure him to give information instead of allowing him to make a willing confession.

He said the DSI employed the same confessforimmunity technique with Methee Amornwutthikul, a Pheu Thai Party member arrested for his part in the protests, who provided details that led to the killing of late Army specialist MajGeneral Khattiya Sawasdiphol.

Jatuporn said he was asking Khattiyah's daughter to lodge a defamation lawsuit against Surachai for saying earlier that he had carried out two attacks on the general's orders.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Association to improve functionality of university councils

By Wannapa Khaopa

The Nation

University council leaders have called on their colleagues across the country to cooperate with a new organisation that will be tasked with improving the efficiency of the councils, which are often dysfunctional because of inactive members and reluctance to assess the performance of university presidents and administrators.

"Presidents of some universities, who are supposed to be assessed or inspected by their university councils, select the council presidents and members. We should adjust the selection process," Professor Vichit Srisaarn, president of Suranaree University of Technology's council, told a meeting on Monday at the convention centre of the Chulabhorn Research Institute in Bangkok.

Associate Professor Anek Laothamatas, an honorary member of Thammasat University's council, said university council members could not dare to act against the very people - university presidents - who chose them to sit on the council.

Others at the meeting complained of members skipping council meetings or, even if they show up, failing to offer any useful ideas to improve universities, or rubberstamping proposals by university presidents and administrators.

"University council members have different experience on working for universities. Those with little experience don't know how to work efficiently, while the work of others with long experience can be suspect," said Chumpol Phornprapha, who chaired Monday's meeting.

Dr Pavich Tongroach, president of Kalasin Rajabhat University's council, noted that not many university councils could raise a quorum of at least 80 per cent of their members at meetings, despite Office of the Public Sector Development Commission regulations.

The purpose of Monday's gathering was to seek the support of hundreds of representatives from university councils and rectors across the country to form an association of university council members that will pay a crucial role in dealing with these longexisting problems.

Pavich said the new Association of Governing Boards of Higher Education Institutes of Thailand would present university council members with a code of good practices and encourage them to adopt it. "This is a good way to indirectly force university councils with poor performance to change how they work," he said.

Chumpol said he would try to register the association officially before the end of the month. He said it would provide goodgovernance training to university council members and encourage them improve how the councils function.

"Many university council presidents are overworked, as they have too many councils under their control. A council president can work for four or five universities. It has resulted in poor work," Chumpol said, adding that the association would try to find more qualified council presidents to ease the burden and to raise work quality.

The association will also seek effective ways to assess university councils and encourage them to get their universities to reach out more to their communities to benefit local people.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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BATTLE WITH TAMC

Encroachers unfazed by legal threat

By The Nation

Council leader defies agency, says ready to fight

Despite a clear legal threat, the Council for People from the Four Regions yesterday resolved not to back down from its efforts to occupy Thai Asset Management Corporation (TAMC) land plots.

The council's chairman Prapas Ngoksoongnern announced the resolution after he convened a meeting of key men in his network.

More than 200 representatives of various groups showed up for the meeting, which took place after TAMC warned the council's members to vacate the plots or face legal action.

"We are ready to accept the consequences. We are ready to face and fight against the charges," Prapas said.

He warned that prosecution against his council's members could backfire.

"People who feel the government is ignoring their plight will come forward and stand with us," Prapas threatened.

He said council members had begun to occupy the TAMC land plots after waiting too long for the government's help.

"We will make use of their land plots for our livelihoods. TAMC has left them idle for nearly a decade," Prapas said.

TAMC had been preparing to auction off the foreclosed plots of land and pay the money to various financial institutions, the original creditors.

The council is convinced these land plots should belong to the people - because the government has used taxpayers' money to salvage many banks out of the 1997 financial crisis.

"What about grassroots people? We have always been ignored." Prapas said.

He claimed that TAMC looked set to favour some investors in the upcoming auctions and it was necessary for his council to take hold of those land plots first.

"The government should then consider allocating those plots to landless, needy people," he said.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima deputy police chief Colonel Boonlert Wongwajjana said local police were gathering evidence about the encroachment on TAMC land plots.

"We will soon summons the council's key members for questioning," he said.

TAMC has already lodged complaints with various police stations over the encroachments.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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ENVIRONMENT

Sanctuary for Trat elephant after ceremony

By Pulsak Boonloy

The Nation

Trat

The roundup ceremony at Trat for 27yearold elephant Plai Thang took two hours and 30 minutes yesterday, but went off successfully with the help of four other elephants.

Plai Thang was then taken to Chachoengsao's Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary to attend another ceremony, after which the animal will be released into the park today.

Atthasit Kanchanasinit, secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, presided over the ceremony along with Trat Deputy Governor Chalor Baicharoen and wellknown elephant veterinarian Alongkorn Mahannop.

In the ceremony carried out by four mahouts and one elephant doctor, elephant Phang Wannaree, 30, was the decoy, while the other three elephants - Plai Thongphaphum, 36, Plai Boonam, 32, and Plai Chumphol, 27 - helped herd Plai Thang in the correct direction.

The ritual was completed by 10.26am and the elephant was put aboard a 10wheel truck bound for the sanctuary. As the truck passed over the Nong Samet village bridge, local people held a ribboncutting ceremony to see the elephant off.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Abhisit honoured for using Thai

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Phra Maha Wutthichai Wachirametee

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Phra Maha Wutthichai Wachirametee were honoured for their usage of the Thai language this year, while Dutch luk thung singer Christy Gibson was among the foreigners praised, Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombat said yesterday.

At a press conference marking Thai Language Day yesterday, Nipit said 41 people were named for their excellent use of the Thai language. Singing monk Phra Punyawangso (Pornpirom) and Assoc Prof Duangmon Chitchamnong were given the lifetime achievement award; Abhisit, Phra Maha Wutthichai and actor Settha Siyachaya were among the Thai nationals honoured; and singer Christy Gibson and Professor Stephen B Young were included in the nonnative speakers' list. Those honoured for excellent usage of Thai dialects included Northeastern composer Sala Khunnawuth, Northern writer Sanan Thammathi and Northern poet Phaitoon Dokbuakaew.

Under the "Petch Nai Pleng" (Diamond in Song) project, 28 singers, including Yuenyong "Aed Carabao" Opakul and Thanaporn "Parn" Waekprayoon, will be given the Ganesha award for accurate usage of the language.

Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont will hand out the awards on July 29 at the Thai Cultural Centre.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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LESE MAJESTE CHARGE

Pongpat summoned to hear charges

By The Nation

Actor Pongpat Wachirabanjong will be summoned to hear his lese majeste charges on July 29, and if he fails to show up after two summons have been issued, police will seek an arrest warrant for the man, Deputy Bangkok Police Chief Pol MajGeneral Amnuay Nimmano said yesterday.

The police are also planning to invite witnesses, lawyers and Thailanguage experts to listen to the actor's acceptance speech at this year's Nataraj Awards as part of the investigation. Amnuay said the case should be concluded within a month.

Despite media and social networks describing Pongpat's speech as a moving declaration of his love for His Majesty, singer Phumpat Wongyachavalit filed a lese majeste complaint against the actor on June 23, accusing him of using inappropriate words.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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THAKSIN'S ASSETS APPEAL

Supreme Court to review seizure of Thaksin assets

By THE NATION

The Supreme Court will convene on August 11 to vote on whether it should launch an appellate review into the judicial decision to seize Bt46 billion worth of assets owned by ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his family members.

In February, the special graft court ruled in favour of confiscating Thaksin's ill-gotten gains and though the verdict was considered final, based on a one-tier review by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, the judicial procedure allows for an appeal in the face of fresh evidence.

The defence submitted appellate arguments in March, meeting the 30-day deadline.

The high court appointed a five-member panel, led by Supreme Court vice president Pirapol Pichayawat, to vet the defence arguments. The vetting process is completed and the report submitted to Supreme Court president Sobchok Sukharom.

It is still unclear if the five panel members have addressed the fresh evidence. The panel has reportedly decided that the defence complied with prescribed steps in petitioning for the review.

In the report, which is considered classified, the panel members have reportedly noted that the defence brought up arguments that were not part of the judicial inquiry leading to the asset seizure.

The high court is expected to debate and vote to determine if the defence arguments will constitute fresh evidence warranting appellate review. Should the appellate review be launched, the Supreme Court's bench of judges would be responsible for reviewing and deciding the outcome.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Experts warn of Thai govt 'intimidation' of Internet users

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Editorial: Thais have little concept of the collective good

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3G licensing in Thailand to go ahead

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Culture Ministry aims to promote international ties through various cultural works

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Ministry of Culture joins hands with the diplomatic corps from 40 countries to promote bilateral ties through various cultural works.

Culture Minister, Nipit Intarasombat, on Wednesday disclosed that the Ministry had organized a meeting with diplomatic corps from over 40 countries such as India, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa and ASEAN member states, in a bid to strengthen diplomatic cooperation and celebrate various bilateral occasions, especially the 60th anniversary of Thailand and Indonesia’s diplomatic relations in 2010, the 60th anniversary of Thailand and Lao PDR’s diplomatic relations in 2010, as well as the 500th anniversary of Thailand-Portugal’s diplomatic relations in 2011.

Meanwhile, the diplomatic corps will be informed of the government's attempt to promote Thailand as the center for international filming and the readiness for the launch of Bangkok International Film Festival. Thailand is aiming to show off the country’s uniqueness and potential to become the base of international film making.

In 2010, more than 200 foreign films are shot in Thailand, with 500 million THB earned from the productions. 48 other foreign films were reported to have shot in Japan, Europe and India.

The Ministry of Culture has also vowed to work in line with the government’s national reconciliation plan and the mission to improve ties with other countries by utilizing cultural dimensions in the process, while the government’s creative economy scheme is also highlighted with an attempt to increase value of the products made from local wisdom.

-- NNT 2010-07-22

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Top Democrat against Donation Case Flap

The head of the Democrat Party's legal defense team asks the media and those who are not members of the coalition parties to stop discussing the Democrat Party's 258 million-baht donation case without clear knowledge of the facts.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, who is head of the Democrat Party's legal team defending the party in a dissolution case, called on those who are not coalition members and the press to stop publicly discussing the case of the Democrat Party's 258 million-baht donation case without knowing the facts.

Chuan said the case is being reviewed by the court and his party is ready to follow a ruling to be made.

Chuan also commented on the Pheu Thai Party's criticism that the Department of Special Investigation's decision not to press charges against TPI Polene company for illegally channeling 258 million baht in donations to the Democrat Party was intended to benefit the party.

The chief adviser said he could not determine if there is connection between the dissolution and donation cases or whether the DSI's decision would benefit his party since he did not know how the donation case was argued in the Constitution court.

He also would not confirm if the party would ask DSI chief Tharit Pengdit to be a witness in the case.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Jatuporn Calls for Justice From Supreme Court

A core red-shirt leader has submitted a letter to the president of the Supreme Court to ask for justice, as he claims he did not get justice during the court procedure.

Core red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan handed in a letter of complaint to Supreme Court President Sopchoke Sukharom, claiming that he was not given a fair trial by the criminal court judge, where Pornpimol Jirasirilerd presides as Chief of Directors of the Annual Supreme Court Office.

Jatuporn noted that although he holds a position as an MP, he was not given justice, as the judge takes absolute control over the various key movements of the red-shirt protesters.

He added that the court persecuted him by not informing him of the appointment with the litigant in regard to the defamation case that was filed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as well as reducing his witnesses from 18 to only one.

Jutaporn explained that in submitting the letter of complaint, he does not intend to be freed of all charges.

He said he only asks for fair treatment in court proceedings under the penal code as any other individual would get.

Jatuporn further mentioned that although the government has been trying to impede Korkaew Pikultong's campaign for Bangkok's Constituency 6 by-election, it is not an obstacle whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party has laid out campaign plans and is confident that Korkaew will be victorious in the end.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Chiang Mai Expects No Disturbance on Thaksin's Birthday

The Chiang Mai deputy governor believes there will not be violence during Thaksin Shinawatra's birthday next week while a high-profile fortune teller has predicted no political violence in the near future.

Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Chumporn Saengmanee said the government's decision to continue to enforce the emergency rule in Chiang Mai is an effort to ensure public safety and national security.

Nonetheless, he said the situation in Chiang Mai is stable and security forces are doing their duties as usual.

On celebrations planned by relatives of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and some MPs on his birthday on July 26, Chiang Mai officials have asked for their cooperation not to breach the emergency law still in place.

Thaksin's birthday celebrations will be held in his hometown in San Kampaeng district. Then, on July 29, the red-shirt group and MPs from northern provinces will hold another birthday event in Lamphun province.

As for people affected by the recent unrest, Chiang Mai provincial authorities are providing financial aid to them.

Meanwhile, the fortune teller for the Council for National Security, Varin Buaviratlert, predicted that political stability will gradually improve over the next year, even though there will be some nonviolent disputes during the year.

He added the construction of the 80 million-baht Buddhist center in Chiang Mai has progressed considerably. In the future, it will be the site of various Buddhist events.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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NGV Bus Project to Be Resubmitted to Cabinet

The transport minister vows to put the plan to rent 4,000 NGV buses on next week's Cabinet meeting agenda after a long delay over its stumbling points.

Transport Minister Sopon Sarum said he is confident that the plan to rent 4,000 NGV buses will be put on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday after each of the responsible parties' viewpoints have been heard. He said a further delay will be counterproductive as the project is nearly reaching its final stage.

Sopon also said his ministry and the Expressway Authority of Thailand have arranged for streets under Srirat tollway as shortcuts to resolve heavy traffic congestion in Bangkok's western outskirts connected to Nonthaburi.

Governor of the expressway agency, Aiyanut Thin-apai said those shortcuts will help motorists bypass the main congested routes and save their time on the roads

The two agencies have also cooperated to find more shortcuts along the tollway in Pak Kred and Pathum Thani to facilitate traffic flow in the areas. The expressway authority has also arranged for nearly 1,000 rai of its land in Bangkok and nearby provinces as sport facilities

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Opposition MP Demands Probe into Thai Airways Seat Installations

Pheu Thai Party's Bangkok MP has issued a demand for the transport minister to launch a probe into why THAI Airways has not canceled its contract with an airplane seat manufacturer despite delays and substandard quality.

Bangkok MP Anudit Nakornthap of the Pheu Thai Party has publicly raised questions as to why THAI Airways has not canceled its contract with Koito Industries, an airplane seat manufacturer.

According to Anudit, Koito was contracted to install passenger seats on eight Airbus jetliners ordered by the Thai national carrier. However, the seats have only been installed on three airliners so far.

In addition, the airplane seat maker has never been certified by Japanese safety authorities.

Anudit demands Transport Minister Sophon Saram investigate the matter. Meanwhile, the Opposition is preparing to file a complaint with the Parliamentary anti-corruption committee.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Close Aide to Local Political Figures Killed in Nakhon Si Thammarat

A man known to be well-connected to local political figures was shot dead in front of an auto shop in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Police are investigating both personal and political conflicts as possible motives.

Officers from Ta Sala police station in Nakhon Si Thammarat examined the crime scene in search of evidence and leads, after a shooting was reported in front of an auto shop on Nakhon Si Thammarat – Surat Thani Road.

Police found the body of a 38-year-old man, identified as Rornee Tokasor, lying next to a black pick-up truck with a red license plate. There were two bullet holes behind his neck and another in his right arm.

According to police, Rornee was a major caged-bird seller in the Ta Sala district and was known to have close links to former Ta Sala sub-district chief Porphan Rattanakotch and Dean Yisman, an adviser to the chief of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Administrative Organization.

The victim was reportedly a key campaign leader for Provincial Administration Chief Pichai Boonyakiat.

Police have yet to determine the actual cause of the death, but are looking into personal and political conflicts as possible motives for the murder.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-22

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Freelance reporter sues PM, CRES over crackdowns

A freelance reporter, who was injured during a crackdown on red-shirt protesters in Bangkok, Thursday filed a criminal lawsuit against the prime minister and Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation.

Bodin Watcharobol had his lawyer, Udom Prongfa, file the suit with Criminal Court at 9:30 am.

The suit alleged that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the 12 CRES members had unlawfully suppressed the red-shirt protesters, causing him to be injured with a bullet.

The court will make a decision on September 13 whether to proceed with the trial or not.

-- The Nation 2010-07-22

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Thai Red Cross launches a blood drive to mark Asalha Puja Day

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Thai Red Cross Society launches a campaign urging people to donate blood as merit making to mark Asalha Puja Day and the Commencement of the Buddhist Lent.

According to the tradition of Asalha Puja Day and Commencement of the Buddhist Lent when most Buddhists gather to make merit, give food offering to the monks and practice Dharma , blood donation is another merit making activity that can be made without expecting anything in return.

The National blood Center of Thai Red Cross Society has thus launched a blood drive to mark the Asalha Puja Day during 24-27 July 2010 at the blood center, Henry Dunant Road. Buddhists and the public in general are invited to donate blood to save lives. It is also an activity to urge people to make a blood donation every three months so that the Red Cross can meet the target of 1,500 units of blood collection each day to serve all hospitals around the country.

Donors can participate in the campaign on the mentioned dates at 08.30-15.30 hrs and will receive the commemorative Buddha image from Wat Bovoranives Vihara as well.

-- NNT 2010-07-22

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