Thailand Live Sunday 1 Aug 2010

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Thailand Live Sunday 1 August 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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Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 31 July 2010

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Border locals elated by WHC’s deferred review of Preah Vihear issue

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Local residents along the Thai-Cambodian border have expressed relief after the World Heritage Committee (WHC) postponed its consideration to list Preah Vihear Temple as a world heritage site for one year.

Local people in 18 villages in Kap Choeng district of Surin province, an area adjacent to the Thai-Cambodian border, revealed that their daily lives had returned to normal after the adjournment of the Preah Vihear agenda by the WHC. They were also confident that the long lasting trade and business relationship between the two countries would resume unaffected.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the United People's Assembly of Thailand in the Northeast Supapol Iammethawee pointed out that the incident reflected all Thai citizens’ unity in protecting the country’s sovereignty.

The WHC under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently deferred its consideration of the matter until its next meeting in 2011 in Bahrain. In the meantime, Thailand and Cambodia are urged to find concrete solutions to the issue of border demarcation.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Thailand to improve trade ties with Saudi Arabia

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Deputy Commerce Minister, Alongkorn Ponlaboot is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on 1-4 August to meet Saudi high ranking representatives from both private and public sectors to discuss the promotion of trade and investment ties.

The visit has been planned in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and increase trade value particularly the value of sugar and food import based on the international standards.

Speaking upon his visit on Friday to monitor trade movements along the Thai-Cambodian border, Mr Alongkorn found the situation normal. Traders were able to sell their products freely as there were no reports of border closure, while product orders also remained high.

Despite the closure of the Thai-Myanmar border, Mr Alongkorn believes that the border gate should be reopened by next week following his two-time meeting with his Myanmar counterpart to negotiate the issue of the disputed construction of a river dyke along the Moei River.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Academic experts discuss education reform

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Academic experts has indicated that the success of Thailand's educational reform can be achieved with the Government's promotion of lifelong learning.

The Office of the Education Council held a meeting today at the Royal River Hotel in Bangkok to exchange ideas for formulating strategies for educational reform. Among the attendants were 50 academic experts, who agreed that the Government should encourage lifelong learning among Thai people as well as instill patriotism and a sense of social responsibility. The meeting also discussed the educational quality and the provision of access to education for all Thai people, calling for all related sectors and units to help in the process.

According to an academic expert, MD Kamonpan Cheewapansri, in order to bring about positive changes, the authorities in the education field must avoid giving repetitive lessons to students. Instead, the emphasis must be placed on the exercises of creative thinking and life skills, which can help youth steer clear of narcotic substances.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Ancient skeletons

By Nation on Sunday

Ancient skeletons have been found in a cave in tambon Thamlod, Pang Mapha district in Mae Hong Son province.

Phatcharaphorn Utthayarn, head of the Tham Nam Lot Wildlife Conservation Develop-ment and Extension Station, said she found the skeletons in 12 ancient teakwood coffins in Phee Man Cave. Ten of the coffins had been opened.

Phatcharaphorn expects that apart from the skeletons kept inside the two closed coffin, there may be ancient belongings buried there as well. She thought the skeletons' were at least 1,000 years old.

Authorities will guard people from smuggling into the cave to open the coffins. Each coffin size is 75 cm wide and 6m.

District chief Kamol Prasert-kul said the cave would open to tourists once authorities had studied the skeletons, plus ancient pottery and stone tools. Some will be put on display when a security system is installed.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Beauty parlour fire

By Nation on Sunday

Fire broke out yesterday at a beauty parlour and shop for glasses in Soi 33 Phetburi Road in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district, but there were no injuries.

The roof deck of Beautiful Optical Shop, adapted as a private room, was burned and the flames also spread rapidly to the Ketvadi-Gandini Beauty Institute's roof deck next door.

Fire-fighters took an hour to control the fire. Both buildings belong to Jumlong Chuawiwat.

Police said a person who stayed in the room may have caused the fire while cooking. |They are seeking the person for interrogation and will seek evidence at the scene to confirm the cause.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Gas may have killed boy at garbage site

By The Nation on Sunday

An autopsy will be performed to try to find out how a 12-year-old boy died on a big mountain of garbage. Methane from garbage is a suspected cause of death.

Panuwat Khamneung, 12, was found dead late on Friday night. There was no sign of wounds on his body.

His father Thongtan said yesterday he told Panuwat to help him collect recyclable items from mountains of garbage last night. "He left home first but when I arrived at the site. I could not find him," the grieving father said.

He did not suspect that things went wrong, though.

"My wife and I continued separating garbage as usual until a colleague rushed to us saying our boy had lost his consciousness."

He said no matter how hard he tried to wake his son up, the boy just lay there and showed no sign of reaction. "He was dead before an ambulance arrived," the father said.

Thongtan's colleague Ekalak Yossiri said at first he thought the boy just fell asleep while working on the mountain.

"However, when I walked closer to him, the odour of gas was so strong," he said.

Police were told about the boy's death early yesterday.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Prisons bursting with drug offenders

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Stop oil drilling near Samui islanders tell govt

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PREAH VIHEAR

'Only joint listing can end row'

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY, THAI NEWS AGENCY

Abhisit vows to defend national interest, assigns officials to closely scrutinise Cambodian plan

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that a joint World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear and its adjacent compound - claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia - was the "best and smoothest path to take" to end conflict over Cambodia's controversial management plan for the ancient Khmer temple.

Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also disputed Phnom Penh's claims of victory following a decision by Unesco's World Heritage Committee to defer a review of Cambodia's management plan until its meeting next year.

The prime minister instructed concerned officials to come up with a detailed analysis of Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear to appraise how the plan adversely affects the country's sovereignty. Abhisit said the country would have enough time to study if the plan would bring about any problems before it was sent back to the World Heritage Committee.

The PM said he believed the bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed in 2000 was useful for Thailand, especially provisions that ban Cambodia from entering the disputed zone. He instructed the Foreign and Defence ministries to scrutinise the management plan next week.

Asked to respond to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An's claim that the World Heritage Committee had accepted Cambodia's management plan, Abhisit said he needed to see exactly what the committee said.

He believed the committee was careful about its wording. "It will not use the word acknowledge, but acknowledge the submission of the plan. The plan was submitted to the office but the committee members have not considered it,'' he said.

Abhisit said he believed the best solution was to change from having Cambodia solely register the Hindu temple to a proposal by two countries so the World Heritage Site could be co-managed by both.

"This will depend entirely on the Unesco committee, whether it will accept this proposal and for Cambodia to accept the reality. But this is the best and smoothest way out,'' Abhisit said.

The PM said he wished to see Cambodia change its stance and seek cooperation instead of pressuring Thailand on this issue without heeding the country's opinion.

He said the country lost its way when then foreign minister Noppadon Pattama accepted the joint communique in 2008 but since then Thailand had strongly defended itself against the move, and the country was now in a better position.

Abhisit said he understood the call of the People's Alliance for Democracy to scrap the MoU signed in 2000 with Cambodia, but he believed that stemmed from different interpretations and hoped this would not lead to quarrels.

He said although the border tension had subsided, the government was still vigilant and he had instructed Foreign Minister Kasit to consult with the Defence Ministry about the problem of Cambodia continuing to occupy the disputed zone. "I do not want to discuss repatriation in advance as I would like to refrain from making the atmosphere tense but we also have to protect national interests,'' he said.

Kasit said yesterday that the Unesco panel's decision in regard to Cambodia's development plan was not a victory for either Thailand or Cambodia.

He was responding to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An's earlier remark that Cambodia had achieved its goal when Unesco's panel agreed on Thursday at its meeting in Brazil to consider its management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple. The World Heritage Committee deferred its discussion on the issue to its meeting in Bahrain next year.

"Neither country wins on the issue. What he [sok An] said, that Cambodia had won, was not correct," Kasit said, explaining that he did not understand why Sok An, who led the Cambodian delegation to the Brasilia meeting, made such an announcement.

The committee decided to defer its consideration of the matter for another year to enable the neighbouring countries to settle their differences regarding the disputed territory around Preah Vihear first, the foreign minister said.

The Associated Press earlier quoted Sok An as saying that, "Unesco has officially accepted our management plan documents, so there is no need to have a further discussion or voting. The result of the meeting is a big victory for Cambodia, a result we have been waiting for."

Abhisit told the media to carefully read the committee resolution about the matter. When asked to comment on Sok An's remark, he said "please find out and read the resolution".

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Man held for 121 stolen bikes

By AMNAT CHAROEN

THE NATION

Police yesterday brought an end to one of the Northeast's biggest mortgagee net-works for stolen motorcycles.

The self-confessed mastermind, Sawai Sidasarn, is now in police detention. Searches at his house and related properties uncovered up to 121 vehicles.

"Many of the vehicles have been stolen," Amnat Charoen police chief Maj-General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said at a press conference.

He said police were armed with court-approved search warrants yesterday when they checked what was hidden at Sawai's properties. All the places were located in Baan Donwai, Muang Amnat Charoen district.

Sawai, 43, was arrested on April 10 on charges relating to drugs, "illegal and suspicious mortgage services" and illegal possession of ammunition. He was released on bail.

However, during his temporary release, he clearly got back to his illegal trade.

"We will go after all of his accomplices," Damrongsak said.

Sawai acted as a mortgagee without a legal licence. His mortgage services had been made available to thieves too.

"Some owners have to come to Sawai and paid money to get back their stolen motorcycles," Damrongsak said.

According to police, Sawai accepted motorcycles as mortgages for a long time and never minded if some mortgages did not have registration books.

Sawai usually sold the mortgaged vehicles to interested buyers in border provinces like Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon at prices of just between Bt3,000 and Bt4,000 each.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Govt House under scrutiny after grenade found

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

A thorough examination of Government House was suggested yesterday after an old grenade for the M79 launcher was found in a drainage ditch inside the compound.

Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn and deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said yesterday that the grenade had been in the sewer for some time and had not just been fired into the premises.

He said a thorough examination of the compound was needed before officials return to work tomorrow.

"The examination should be finished within the weekend and it should not be delayed until Monday," he said, adding that security at Government House has been provided round-the-clock.

The grenade was found while Bangkok Metropolitan Administration workers were cleaning the compound's drainage system near entrance gate No 7, said Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander Maj-General Wichai Sangprapai.

A Government House official, who requested anonymity, said it was likely that the grenade was fired into the compound during the anti-government protests of the red shirts earlier this year.

Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said yesterday that it was fortunate the grenade was found on a public holiday. He also called for a thorough examination of the compound.

"If possible, I'd like to ask bomb experts with proper devices to check the whole Government House compound again, not just the area where the grenade was found, for the safety of officials working there," he said.

Yesterday's discovery was the third scare regarding a grenade over the past week. Last Sunday, a few hours after the by-election voting was closed, a grenade modified as a time bomb exploded at the bus stop in front of the Big C department store in the Rajdamri area, killing a man and injuring 10 others. In the early hours of Friday, a scavenger was seriously injured when a grenade exploded while he was picking up a rubbish bag in the Rang Nam area.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Chalerm happy to testify in Democrat's dissolution case

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Chalerm Yoobamrung, chief of opposition Pheu Thai Party MPs, said yesterday he was ready to testify as a prosecution witness in a dissolution case against the ruling Democrat Party.

The veteran politician said he had learned that the Election Commission would ask Pheu Thai Party to let him testify as a witness, since he had grilled the Abhisit government about the matter in a no-confidence debate in Parliament. So he was willing to give the EC his cooperation.

He also warned key witnesses who may reverse testimonies they had given to the Department of Special Investigation in regard to the case, they should think twice because the DSI had recorded the questioning on video tapes.

"They cannot reverse their statement," he said.

He said his sources told him that a politician had given a key witness support, by giving him a political job.

Chalerm said he had also asked senior police whom he could depend on to protect Teerachai Thamrongpongsakorn or "Meng", who claimed the wife of the DSI chief had received Bt150,000 in alleged bribes, after Meng said he had been threatened.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Dr Buranat Samutrak slammed Chaturon Chaisaeng, a banned executive from the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, for interfering in the justice process in relation to the court hearing of the party dissolution case - by saying that if the Democrats were not dissolved, it would be hard for the country to achieve reconciliation.

"Such a statement is also intended to incite the masses. Chaturon, the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts must stop such behaviour if they are sincere about their campaign against double standards,'' Buranat said.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said he would get Chaiwat Triyasunant, an ex-party MP from Phetchabun to act as a defence lawyer in the dissolution case because some lawyers would have to attend House sessions and may not be able to carry out their duties in regard to the case.

Chalerm also said he believed the Abhisit government would survive till April next year because of many factors such as the Opposition not being able to launch a censure motion in the next parliamentary session.

However, he was convinced that once the House was dissolved, Pheu Thai would stage a comeback at the polls to win most MP seats and form a one-party government. He expected the party would win 60 seats in the North and more than 100 seats in the Northeast.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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Rise to the challenge, PM urges Democrats

By KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Phuket

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday asked his Democrat Party colleagues to work harder to cope with challenges in the near future.

On the eve of a new parliamentary session, Abhisit opened a party seminar on the theme "Join forces and solve the country's crisis," in Phuket amid tight security by local police and troops. He told party MPs to be united, give correct information to people, to attend House meetings regularly, and be active pushing for passing of key laws.

In regard to dissolution cases that the party faces, the Democrat leader asked MPs to pay attention but be careful about what they say or do. They should consult the legal team in charge, led by chief adviser Chuan Leekpai and adviser Banyat Bantadtan, both former party leaders, before saying or doing anything. Otherwise, they might hurt the party, he said.

Abhisit told MPs to regularly attend House sessions. Meanwhile, ministers should join party meetings so MPs get the chance to discuss related issues.

He said MPs should be active in passing necessary laws as the new election could occur at any time.

"Putting it straight, the longest this House [of MPs] can stay in place is only until the end of next year. Any important laws that haven't been started in the Parliament will be difficult to pass (within this term)."

He said the Democrats must show people they are determined to push for laws such as the Budget Bill, the national savings fund, plus land and assets taxes.

"In the parliamentary session for legislation over the next four months, if we let the House adjourn (from the lack of a quorum) again and again, then laws can't be passed. Can you imagine how we will be blamed by the people when we contest in the election?"

He said the opposition would certainly test government MPs' attendance at House meetings. They would not report their presence until they could see if government MPs met the quorum even if they agreed with laws to be passed.

MPs must have good cause and warn of any absence from House meetings in advance, he said. Otherwise, MPs missing the meeting would be revealed.

Abhisit also told MPs to focus more on solving people's problems than politicking. They must also help clarify and publicise the government's policies.

"If we ask what's on people's minds, the problems of expensive consumer goods, low prices for crops, and debts rank first among people's problems," he said.

The PM said his government had effective policies to help people solve such problems, but people lacked knowledge and understanding about them.

"People don't know many things. For example, they don't know that we never give a government officers' guarantee for loans," he said.

"The latest case is the Preah Vihear dispute. To be straight, the group that attacks us the most is the People's Alliance for Democracy. They said we said and acted differently when we were the opposition. But that's not true."

He said the government's Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia in 2000 on the border dispute did not put Thailand at a disadvantage, as the PAD claimed. On the other hand, it meant both governments accepted there was still conflict about the borderline.

Reconciliation was crucial, he said, and the government would push for it despite knowing it wouldn't succeed without cooperation from other sectors in the country.

Related committees were set up to facilitate the process. He gave the Truth and Reconciliation Committee led by Kanit na Nakorn as an example, saying that finding truth was a procedure that could prevent a repeat of the recent crisis in Bangkok.

Abhisit said he did not intend to keep special laws invoked.

"How necessary is the Emergency decree (to remain invoked)? Most agencies want it to remain. But as a political party, I must insist that it is a special law, not a normal law. We must try to cancel the special laws," he said, adding that some day, special laws must be revoked in the restive South also.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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EDITORIAL

Facing reality beats playing politics over Preah Vihear

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Thai Interior Ministry Is Cracking Down On Drug Use In Night Venues

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Brawl at Concert on Cha Am Beach

Brawls broke out at a reggae ska concert on Cha Am beach in Petchaburi province, causing injuries to around 100 people.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-01

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Special Report: Thai Women's Day

Although women have played bigger roles in the society in recent decades, gender inequalities and other disadvantages are somehow perceivable. 1 August of every year is when the importance of Thai women is being highlighted amidst social promises to uphold their images with respect.

1 August marks the day to celebrate the occasion of the Thai Women’s Day. The day has been designated by the Cabinet since 2003 after permission was granted by HM Queen Sirikit, following the idea of placing the occasion in the auspicious month of August, the birth month of HM the Queen, who is highly regarded as the Mother of the Land and the pride of Thai women. The cattleya “Queen Sirikit” orchid has been used as the symbol for Thai Women’s Day.

Since Thai women nowadays have gained recognition for their achievements in various aspects due to their advancement, modernity and creative visions, they are believed to be able to forge unity within the Thai society, in line with the government's reconciliation tasks.

On such a day, the National Council of Women of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen has launched a week-long celebration under the theme “Creative Force towards a Sustainable Future” from 30 July to 5 August 2010, jointly with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as well as 191 other relevant agencies nationwide.

The event was graciously presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 31 July, whilst the honorary awards were bestowed upon the women who perform outstanding roles in helping to promote the importance of the female gender in the Thai society, while the Thai Red Cross has launched a blood drive entitled, Blood Donating by Thai Ladies on the Thai Women's Day.

In addition, the day is also highly regarded by the governmental bodies as the Prime Minister and Ministers are also encouraged to reaffirm their commitment in enhancing the importance of the Thai women.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Thai Immigration to keep close track of all tourists

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PM urges doctors to wait to amend draft in Parliament

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday urged doctors to wait to amend the Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Bill when the draft is being vetted in Parliament.

Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Abhisit said doctors and patients should not engage in a fight over the draft now.

He was referring to protests by doctors last week against the bill.

Abhisit said Parliament has mechanism to allow doctors to participate in amending the draft.

-- The Nation 2010-08-01

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UDD lawyer to seek bail appeals for Korkaew, Weng

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Lawyer of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) is seeking the court's approval for temporary releases of two key anti-government leaders, currently held on charges of terrorism.

Mr Winyat Chatmontri, lawyer representing the UDD will on 3 August ask the court for the temporary releases of Mr Korkaew Pikulthong and MD Weng Tojirakarn, who have been held on at the Bangkok Remand Prison on charges of terrorism. The lawyer said Mr Korkaew would post a bail of 2 million THB in cash, while MD Weng would put up 2-million-THB in cash and a piece of land worth 7 million THB as collateral for the bail appeal.

BR> The court has recently rejected the bail requests for the 11 anti-government leaders now detained for terrorism, reasoning that they might escape.

The 11 UDD core figures comprise Mr Veera Musikapong, Mr Nattawut Saikua, Mr Kwanchai Praipana, Mr Wiphuthalaeng Phatthanaphumthai, Mr Yosawarit Chuklom, Mr Nisit Sinthuprai, MD Weng Tochirakarn, Mr Korkaew Pikulthong, Mr Bhumkitti Sukchindathong, Mr Sombat Makthong and Mr Amnat Intarachote.

On Friday, the Criminal Court released Veera Musikapong on 6-million-THB cash bail.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Meteo Dept: Heavy, rising rainfalls prevailing in some regions

BANGKOK: -- The Thai Meteorological Department has issued its daily weather forecast warning of heavy rainfalls in some regions in the days ahead.

The Thai Meteorological Department has reported that an eastern wind is spreading across the lower part of the Northeast, the East, the Central Plains, and the upper part of the South. Meanwhile, a southwestern monsoon is reportedly passing through the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, which would contribute to increasing rainfalls in some areas in the next few days.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Phuket's 80-metre height limit on new construction will remain in place

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PM thanks all Thais for their patriotism over border dispute

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed thanks to all Thais for their effort to protect national treasure in the Thai-Cambodia border dispute.

Speaking in his weekly talk show, "Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit", the Prime Minister stated that the people's action has played a monumental role in the Unesco's World Heritage Committee's decision to defer its deliberation of the Cambodia's unilateral management plan for the Preah Vihear temple and the disputed buffer zone until next year's meeting. He further said that the Thai government has always upheld the bilateral treaty relative to the demarcation of the borderline, but Cambodia has adamantly adhered to the map drawn up by France.

Thailand was earlier dragged into a disadvantageous position when former Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama accepted the joint Communique with Cambodia for the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as the World Heritage Site in 2008, said PM Abhisit.

PM Abhisit has also reaffirmed that the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding on the survey and land boundary demarcation, previously co-signed between Thailand and Cambodia, was a key factor in the WHC's recent decision on Cambodian development plan for the Preah Vihear temple, adding that the Thai authorities will thoroughly study the proposal and come up with recommendations to be for presented to the WHC at its next summit in Bahrain.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Phuket beach deaths: Airlines, airport could help cut the toll

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Jakrapob Penkair Interview: Red Shirts now coordinated from outside Thailand

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China Will Invest In Thai High-Speed Train, Better Rail Links

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Close aides of late military strategist Maj-Gen Khattiya allegedly involved in Ratchadamri Big C bombing, to cooperate with DSI to seek arrest warrants /MCOT

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SRT to raise first, second class train fares by 10%

BANGKOK: (NNT) -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will increase its first and second class train fares by 10%, effective on 1 October.

After the meeting of the SRT Board on 30 July 2010, SRT Governor, Yutthana Thapcharoen disclosed that the meeting had decided to ask the SRT to raise its first and second classes fares.

As a result, the fare for first class passengers will increase from 93 satang to 1.02 THB for the first 100 kilometers. The fare will stand at 93 satang per kilometer for the distance of 101-200 kilometers, and at 86 satang per kilometer for the distance of 201-300 kilometers.

The fare for second-class train commuters will also rise from 48 satang to 53 satang for the first 100 kilometers.

However, the price for the third class will remain unchanged to avoid affecting low income people.

The changes will be effective on 1 October.

-- NNT 2010-08-01

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Security officials at Government House must work harder

PHUKET (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Sunday that security officials manning Government House in Bangkok must work harder after three M79 grenades were found in a sewage ditch inside Thailand's seat of government.

Mr Suthep, who oversees security affairs, told journalists that there was still no need to increase the number of security personnel at Government House but they must work more diligently. The security system there is fine, he said, but there are still ill-intentioned groups of people wanting to create chaos in the country.

He said three M79 grenades found Saturday by municipal workers cleaning the drainage system near entrance seven were probably fired at the seat of government during a demonstration by anti-government protesters.

“I believe there are still some groups of people trying to create chaos in the country in several ways by inciting people, twisting facts and doing sabotage,” said Mr Suthep.

The latest two bombing incidents in Bangkok which occurred Sunday and Friday were in public places and targeted the lives of innocent people, he said. The government must lay out preventive measures and strengthen its intelligence.

Mr Suthep said it is unnecessary for the government to impose the decree in provinces where it was revoked earlier.

Currently, the government has effected the emergency decree in 10 provinces, including Bangkok, following an anti-government protest which ended in response to the military operation to retake the protest site in Ratchaprasong on May 19. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-01