Thailand Live Wednesday 4 Aug 2010

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Police Step Up Security in Bkk After Reports of Bomb Attack

The National Police Office has stepped up security in the capital after receiving intelligence reports of a potential bomb attack in Bangkok.

They claim the army has been enlist for additional assistance.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Thai economy projected to grow 8% despite political unrest

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Foreign capital begins flowing back into Thailand, says Bank of Thailand

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INN: Police arrest first suspect in King Power bombing; ready to ask for arrest warrant for ringmaster this afternoon /via @TAN_Network

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Thai Airways Defend Tiger Airlines Launch

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PREAH VIHEAR CONTROVERSY

Khmer King's adviser ask PM to show restraint - Phnom Penh Post

Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni wrote a letter to Thai prime minister, stating that the two countries had an interest in putting aside territorial disputes for the harmony of the region.

Phnom Penh Post reported Wednesday that the Prince's letter from Beijing was an attempt to resolve the ongoing standoff over the status of Preah Vihear temple and other disputed areas along the border.

"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," he wrote.

"My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours."

The letter followed a meeting of both countries during Unesco's World Heritage Committee in Brazil. The panel has delayed its consideration on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple to next year in Bahrain after Thailand threatened to withdraw its membership.

In a weekly address on Sunday, Abhisit said Thailand had obtained the Cambodian management plan and would look to see if it violates "Thai sovereignty" in the border area.

But Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Council of Ministers' Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said yesterday that since Cambodia's plan had been submitted to the WHC, Thai attempts to raise the matter were meaningless.

"I think Abhisit's knowledge on heritage issues is limited - he does not understand the facts, the work of heritage and its progress," he said. "His manner is to provoke nationalism and [give out] misleading information to gain politically."

Tith Sothea said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed the Cambodian delegation to Brazil, would return to Cambodia on Saturday.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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9 wounded in Karen National Union, Myanmar troops fighting near Thai border at Tak province; no cross border spillover /via @MCOT

One suspect in bombing near King Power duty-fee shopping centre arrested, implicates masterminder; police seeking warrant /via @MCOT

Suthep: Intelligence reports indicate possible sabotage in August, integrated intelligence works needed to prevent incident, ask public not to panic /via @MCOT

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Northern Excise Dept Siezes Illegal Liquior

An excise department office overseeing the lower part of the North has arrested eight people for illegal brewing in Sukothai province.

Police officers and the Region 6 Excise Department officials raided a stable in Sukhothai's Sri Samrong district and arrested seven workers and the owner, identified as Kamnueng Prompradit, for illegally brewing spirits.

The authorities confiscated the refining tools and outputs, including four 200-liter boilers, 500 liters of refined white whiskey, 380,000 liters of fermented spirits, and 188 kilograms of raw ingredients.

They said Kimnoeuen confessed to running the illegal brewing, and distributing his whiskey in Sukothai and two neighboring provinces, Pitsanuloke and Pijit.

The Chief of the department's suppression division, Metha Sawasdee, said a lot of illegal spirits from Kanueng's brewing have already been distributed to the markets, and he warned that consuming them is dangerous.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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"Baaria" by director of "Cinema Paradiso" premieres tomorrow at House Rama RCA and Lido. Only 3 shows at House at 13.30 , 16.15 & 19.00. /via @veen_NT

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Clothes vendor arrested for allegedly launching bomb attack in May

A clothes vendor has been arrested for allegedly planting a bomb at Victory Monument on May 19.

Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander Pol Maj Gen Wichai Sangprapai said Sornpien, surname withheld, was arrested while selling clothes at the Victory Monument.

Wichai said Sornpien, 23, admitted that he had been trained by black-shirt guards at the Lumpini Park and had been assigned to plant bombs at the Victory Monument and other places on May 19.

Wichai said Sornpien implicated a mastermind and police would seek an arrest warrant against him.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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PM expresses concern over security situation but asserts security on high alert /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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Newly born baby rescued from deserted land in Surat Thani

Surat Thani - A newly-born baby girl was found wrapped in a plastic bag and left to die on a deserted plot in Muang district here Wednesday morning.

A man who went to cut banana leaves on the plot heard a baby crying at 8:10 am and found the girl being bitten by ants and insects.

He alerted police who rushed to rescue and send the girl to the provincial hospital.

The hospital declared the girl was safe but would under intensive care for while.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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Thai Govt denies being superstitious in adding the 77th province

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Police Arrest Suspect in Kingpower Bombing

The police have arrested a Nongkhai man, suspected of being involved in the bombing in Soi Rangnam, close to the Kingpower Complex.

A scrap junk collector was seriously injured in the blast.

The police expect to issue an arrest warrant for the leader of this gang later in the afternoon.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Bangchak Raise Pump Prices by Bt0.60/Ltr

Bangchak will raise its pump prices for all types of fuel by Bt0.60 per liter. The price change will become effective tomorrow morning at 5 A.M.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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At least three children killed in attack on kindergarten in eastern China, in latest in series of assaults on schools nationwide /via @MCOT

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Danish National Drugged by Unscrupulous Working Girl

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Thai Intelligence Reports Indicate Possible Sabotage In August

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Rescue efforts stepped up for flood-hit villagers in Lampang

LAMPANG (NNT) -- Local authorities in the northern province of Lampang are expediting rescue operation to help over 300 families plagued by flash floods that hit Muang District on Tuesday.

Chief of the central district of Lampang, Mr Montri Chaikanchanakij, said the overall condition of the area had returned to normal after it was flushed by a flash flood yesterday. However, numbers of houses are still covered under mud and debris.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to search around and provide prompt assistance for the sufferers.

Over 300 households and farmlands in three Tambons have been razed. At least 20 cows have reportedly disappeared after the gush.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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8 Pheu Thai MPs may defect to Bhumjaithai, Puea Pandin

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Eight MPs of the opposition Pheu Thai Party might defect to the coalition Bhumjaithai Party and Puea Pandin Party owing to conflicts with the stance of the Pheu Thai Party.

Pheu Thai MP for Sakhon Nakhon, Joomphot Boonyai, said seven Pheu Thai MPs would leave their opposition party to join the Bhumjaithai Party while the other would work with Puea Pandin. He however refused to reveal further details and lists of those MPs due to some uncertainties.

Justifying the defection, Mr Joomphot explained that the MPs had conflicts with some influential figures outside the Pheu Thai Party, as well as being unable to work on the party’s stance to support political movements of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) outside Parliament.

Nevertheless, Mr Joomphot believed that the defection would not affect public support for the MPs in the general elections.

Recently, the opposition Pheu Thai Party has posted pictures of four MPs prohibited by security guards from entering the party’s headquarters for their failure to abide by the regulations and resolutions of the party.

The four Pheu Thai MPs are Saraburi MP Second Lieutenant Porapol Adireksarn, Sakhon Nakhon MP Joomphot Boonyai, Chiang Rai MP Somboon Wanchaithanawong, and Party List MP Nikom Chourkittisopon.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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Phuket crash helmet campaign: fines start July 1, 2011

Violators of the helmet law wait to collect their licenses after

a recent showing of the movie at Phuket City Police Station.

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Police get tough on Pattaya's criminal migrants

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Business brisk at Phuket City Pawnshop

The service desk at the Phuket City Municipality Pawnshop. File photo.

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UDD to seek bail for Korkaew again

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will again seek bail for its core leader Korkaew Pikulthong after the request was rejected on Tuesday.

UDD lawyer Karom Poltaklang said that a team of UDD’s lawyers would file another request with the criminal seeking bail for Mr Korkaew.

Mr Karom said the reason justified by the court in rejecting the bid to bail out Mr Korkaew should be reconsidered, as the defendant, like Weera Musikapong, another leader who was granted bail earlier, had no prior violent behavior

The lawyer, however, admitted that a bail request for another UDD core leader, MD Weng Tojirakarn, must be postponed in light of the court’s refusal to grant bail to Mr. Korkaew. He said the UDD lawyer team must discuss this issue again before filing another appeal.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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PM: Emergency Decree needed to ensure security in Bangkok

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The state of emergency enforcement in Bangkok is still necessary as long as movements of some ill-intentioned groups are found, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Citing an assessment of the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation, Prime Minister Abhisit admitted that small ill-intentioned groups were trying to instigate unrest. He hence pledged that the Government would keep an eye on their movements closely to take care of the situation.

The Prime Minister also asked people to help observe movements of those ill-intentioned people in a bid to prevent acts of sabotage. He deemed the emergency rule necessary in the capital city at present; however, he said the Government would consider lifting the special law in other provinces.

Ten remaining provinces under the state of emergency comprise Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Samut Prakan.

Intelligence reports earlier said that unrest instigation might be possible this month when people were celebrating the National Mother's Day.

-- NNT 2010-08-04

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Indictment Decision against Yellow-shirt Leaders Put Off

Public prosecutors have put off its decision on indictment against nine yellow-shirt core leaders over the group's seizure of Government House to October 7, citing inconclusive evidence examination.

The nine core elements of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, named in the Government House seizure case, are Sondhi Limthongkul, Major General Chamlong Srimuang, Pipob Thongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Rachayuth Siriyodhinpakdee, Therdpoom Jaidee and Chaiwat Sinsuwong.

Investigators charged them with inciting chaos in the country to overthrow the government and disobeying the authorities' order for them to end the group's sit-in protest at Government House in 2008.

Public prosecutors said more examination is needed for evidence so they have postponed the decision whether to indict the accused to October 7.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Kingpower Bomber Linked to Other Bombings

The Metropolitan Police 1 has revealed that the suspect in the Kingpower bombing had confessed to transporting the explosive but denied he detonated the bomb.

Police have linked him to other bombings, such as the one at the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, the bombing at the residence of the Election Commission chairman and the bombing at Channel 5.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-04

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Police Pursuit and Shootout During Wheel Theft Investigations

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Hotline planned to beat frauds

By The Nation

A hotline centre will be set up to receive complaints and tip-offs from the public to combat widespread fraud schemes luring victims to transfer money through cash machines - and catch people behind the schemes.

The new service at toll-free numbers 1200, 1155 and 1135 will be linked to existing hotline numbers of the National Telecommunication Commis-sion, Tourist Police and Consumer Protection Police.

Officials from the agencies said yesterday the centre was planned to specifically combat such crimes, but did not say when it would start. It would also be tasked with detailing techniques used by con artists.

Senior investigator Pol Maj-General Panya Mamen said the centre would work on tracking suspects' locations as potential victims spoke to con artists. They would also temporarily freeze bank accounts to prevent withdrawals.

Panya said it would deter con artists as "they would know they'd be located through electronic tracking and arrested."

Phone companies would be asked to trace the location of callers, said acting NTC secretary-general Thakorn Tanthasit.

Panya called on phone users not to give out personal information to people they did not know. He said employees of Internet servers used by con artists would face drastic action.

-- The Nation 2010-08-04

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Grenade explodes near motorcade of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in western city of Hamedan, but he is unhurt; one person arrested /MCOT