Thailand Live Friday 30 Jul 2010

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UDD lawyer prepares appeals for release of other UDD suspects after Court grants bail to Red Shirt leader Veera for Bt6 mln, using Veera case as precedent /via @MCOT

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A victim from the Soi Rangnam bombing incident has very little chance of survival, director of Rajvithi Hospital says. /via @Urisara_NT

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Man shot following youth road rage bashing in Pattaya

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Deputy District Chief detains three suspects following theft from house owned by senior government official

Pattaya Masseur arrested as she attempts to pawn fake gold necklace

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Weng and Kokaew to seek bail after Veera freed

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PM to Push for National Savings Fund

The prime minister pledges to push for the national savings fund draft bill for independent professionals as part of the government's effort to implement a full welfare service.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he will push for the draft bill on a national savings fund for people outside the state-run social security fund. Abhisit said the savings fund will require its members and their local administration organizations to pay contribution.

The prime minister acknowledged that although several social aid programs have already been implemented, most people have no access to them.

Abhisit noted the spending on welfare must be sustainable and must not be a burden to the government so the cooperation of all parties is necessary.

The prime minister stated his government has set aside 700 million baht to operate the community welfare fund and pointed out there will be more social welfare packages in the future to reduce inequality.

The government projected the universal welfare scheme will be implemented by 2017.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-30

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Police Look for Leads in Latest City Blast

The city police chief proposes replacing trash bins in Bangkok with transparent ones after recent bomb attacks have shown they are usually used to place explosives.

Meanwhile, investigators have obtained no information about the suspects in this morning's blast.

A police bomb squad and the Scientific Crime Detection Division stated the bomb that went off this morning was a hand grenade, either made in China or Russia.

The grenade's safety pin was wrapped by a slim rubber band tampered to shortly hold and then snap to detonate the grenade.

Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, said he is seeking footage from surveillance cameras in the area and added investigators still have received no evidence to identify the perpetrators.

He said the agencies taking care of security in the capital, whether it be the police, the military, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, held a meeting to discuss security following the latest spate of bomb attacks.

Wichai also said his agency and the Phya Thai police station, which supervises the area the crime took place, are rushing to inform relatives of the garbage collector injured in the blast.

Metropolitan police chief Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanont said this morning's the bomb that went off this morning was different from the one used in the blast in front of Big C Ratchadamri last Sunday. He noted this morning's bomber is not skilled.

The commissioner said the recent incidents showed explosives were usually placed inside waste bins so they should be replaced with transparent ones and the collection of garbage must be carried out faster.

Santhan said he will order police to increase patrol, particularly at shopping malls, state offices and petrol stations.

Santhan also remarked the revocation of the emergency law in Bangkok could deteriorate the security situation.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-30

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SET index closed at 855.83, up 1.24; Bt/USD31.89; GBP49.65; AUD28.41; EUR41.56; CAD30.48; HKD4.05; SGD23.27; JPY36.52

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Tourist Police arrested Taiwanese ATM fraud gang, one of the victims incl. Zeenam of Academy Fantasia Season 1. /via @TAN_Network

Tourist police was able to capture a Taiwanese Call Center phony gang that tricked ppl into transferring money thru ATMs./via @TAN_Network

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Latest Blast Blamed on Poor Intelligence Work

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the work of intelligence agencies following the latest bombing incident in Soi Rang Nam, tapping the defense minister to oversee the task.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban commented this morning on the lifting of the state of emergency in six more provinces yesterday.

He said that the decision was based on a thorough analysis done by the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, or CRES, but acknowledged that some disagreements were voiced by those who believe threats to internal security are still imminent.

On an explosion across from the King Power company in Soi Rang Nam late last night, Suthep expressed regret over the incident.

He called on the government's dissenters to cease such action as they are only hurting innocent civilians. Police have been tasked with looking into the attack.

The CRES, yesterday instructed the National Police Office to coordinate efforts among security forces across the country. The office may seek assistance from the military.

Suthep took the opportunity to express dissatisfaction over the work of government intelligence agencies, saying their work has been inefficient.

The deputy prime minister tapped Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to step in to oversee the state's intelligence agencies in an effort to increase work efficiency.

He stressed that the government's intelligence arms, though diverse, must work together.

On the Rang Nam bombing, Prawit said there was not adequate information so far to point to the masterminds and the motive. Nonetheless, he affirmed his confidence in relevant agencies and their ability to resolve the matter.

Asked about the lifting of the state of emergency in six more provinces, the defense minister backed the prime minister's decision, but hinted that local officials can request that the special law be reinstated if unrest resurfaces.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-30

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Thai PM warns further bomb attacks likely

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's premier warned Friday of possible further bomb attacks in Bangkok after a grenade blast left one man seriously hurt, days after a deadly explosion at a bus stop.

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to be continued

Thailand Live Saturday 31 July 2010

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