Thailand Live Thursday 5 Aug 2010

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Pheu Thai to expel 2 MPs

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The opposition Pheu Thai Party will convene its MPs to confer about expelling 2 MPs out of the party after they were found to partake in activities of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party.

Pheu Thai Party Deputy Leader, Plodprasop Suraswadi, stated that there are about 4-5 Pheu Thai MPs defecting to Bhumjaithai; however, the party would oust two MPs first, including Saraburi MP Second Lieutenant Porapol Adireksarn and Sakon Nakhon MP Joomphot Boonyai, as the two had failed to abide by the regulations and resolutions of the party.

The deputy leader explained that the party will have a meeting with its board of directors and its MP to confer the decision. The meeting would take place within two weeks, either on 10 or 17 August 2010.

Mr Plodprasop further stated that the party then would notify the Election Commission and Parliament respectively about termination of Pheu Thai membership of the two MPs and consequently the forfeit of their membership of the parliament. He added that the two could file lawsuits to the Constitutional Court should they objected the resolution.

Apart from the two MPs, the Pheu Thai Party also bans Chiang Rai MP Somboon Wanchaithanawong, and Party List MP Nikom Chourkittisopon from entering its head office. Eight Pheu Thai MPs are said to defect to the coalition Bhumjaithai Party and Puea Pandin Party soon.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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Banks Warn Public Be Aware of ATM Fraud

The Thai Bankers' Association has issued a warning to the public about ATM fraud, and has threatened criminal charges against those who have opened accounts for illegal activities.

The Secretary-General of the Thai Bankers' Association, Tawatchai Yongkittikhun, said the commercial banks in the county are investigating criminal gangs that have been tricking people into making financial transactions in their accounts.

The banks are working with law enforcement authorities, who have already arrested more than 100 people involved in the crime.

The gangs would ask the people with no financial knowledge to open bank accounts and surrender their ATM cards to them in exchange for between 500 to 1,000 baht. The accounts would then be used for illegal activities.

The banks have also warned the account owners that they could face criminal charges for providing accounts to the ATM fraud rings.

Most of the victims were tricked into making financial transactions through the English language menu on ATMs, which they did not understand.

Also, Thai people have habit of ignoring the warning messages on ATM screens about fraud. This makes them more prone to criminal gangs.

The banks have also pointed out that it is impossible to install crime-protection equipment at the more than 40,000 ATMs in the country, due to the massive cost it would require.

Meanwhile, the association plans to install 250 counterfeit bill detectors at high-traffic commercial areas such as in markets and public locations.

The banks hope the detectors will offer the public protection against counterfeit bills.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

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Red guard leader, Bungwai, suspected to have been involved with 2 recent bomb incidents, have contacted police to surrender himself /via @TAN_Network

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Rang Nam bombing suspect nabbed, still denies allegation

BANGKOK, 5 August 2010 (NNT) – A 23-year-old man suspected for planting the bomb in Soi Rang Nam last week is captured but still denies the allegation.

The Metropolitan Police on Wednesday has arrested a suspect of the latest bombing case from his home in Bang Sue District in Bangkok. The man, identified as Mr Soratien Singhakanya, 23, has once fled the police search on 19 May during the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) rally at Din Daeng area. Upon his escape, Mr Soratien has left his backpack which contained 2 home-made grenades, one 82-2 grenade, 5 giant firecrackers, his ID card, and the Reserve Affairs Center ID card.

Metropolitan Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Santhan Chayanon revealed that the motorcycle, the helmet, and the grenades found at the suspect’s residence matched with the evidence found at Soi Rang Nam as well as the Privy Councilor’s house which was also attacked by a bomb.

Mr Soratien still denied all the accusation and implicated another man named Suwit Bangwai, whom he claimed was the owner of the backpack and its contents. He said he knew Mr Suwit from the UDD rally. However, the police are still not convinced. The officers are now tracking Mr Suwit for further inquiries.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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Outspoken Pheu Thai MP: Past Democrat Led Admin Responsible for Loss of Land

A Pheu Thai MP says Thailand lost land surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple because of an MOU signed by the administration of Chuan Leekpai in 2000.

Regarding the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounding area, Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yubamrung said the dispute stems from the past administration of Chuan Leekpai.

He said the second administration of Chuan Leekpai signed an MOU regarding surveying and determining the borderline between Thailand and Cambodia, called MOU 2000.

He explained that the administration had accepted the 1 to 200,000 scale map that was attached with the MOU.

Subsequently Thailand lost the 4.6 square kilometers of land surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia.

He demanded that the government reveal the truth about the ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962 and the details of MOU 2000.

He called for the cancellation of the MOU and to stop passing the blame on the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra. He suggested negotiation with Cambodia to resolve this dispute, as the use of force would hurt the economy and tourism.

Chalerm said farewell to four former MPs of Pheu Thai who left to join Bhum Jai Thai Party but said they cannot return to the Pheu Thai Party.

He added that moving to Bhum Jai Thai Party will not benefit them because the party has no real tie with people and their communities.

He is confident that his party will win about 250 seats in the Lower House at the next general election.

Jatuporn Phromphan, Pheu Thai MP and a core leader of Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, or DAAD, also said farewell to the four former Pheu Thai MPs who left the party, but said they must not return to his party.

Regarding a speculation that the four MPs were bought to move to the Bhum Jai Thai Party, he said people will be the judge of that.

The four MPs denied the speculation as untrue. He remarked that the four MPs will certainly face problems on their next campaign.

Regarding a reported rift within the Pheu Thai Party, he said it is normal for MPs to have differences and dismissed a rumor that Mingkwan Saengsuwan has been asked to resign to set up a new party.

He insisted Mingkwan and other major members of his party will remain in the party.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

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Pheu Thai confident to win next election

BANGKOK, (NNT) -- The opposition Pheu Thai Party is still confident in winning the next election although some of its MPs, claimed to have been bought out, are defecting to other political parties.

Pheu Thai core leader and Deputy House Speaker Colonel Apiwan Wiriyachai said he had not heard about the party’s MPs being bought by others, saying he had only heard about it in the media. He shrugged off the claims and said even if it were true, it would not affect the party.

The Colonel said, based on his visits in the north and the northeast, the Pheu Thai Party is still well received by the people. He added that the party would visit the central region later on.

The Deputy House Speaker also announced that the Pheu Thai Party would bank on ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s platform; however, he reaffirmed that the party would not focus on Mr Thaksin as being the next Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Party Chairperson Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung played down rumors of divisiveness in his party, suggesting that MPs wishing to defect to other parties do so on the double, so the party could find new replacements for them.

Police Captain Chalerm then voiced his confidence that the party would grab more than 250 seats in the next general election, enabling it to form a new single-party government, thanks to its concrete performance.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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US Urges Thai, Cambodian Govt to Solve Conflict By Peaceful Means

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Bangkok bomb suspect set to surrender

BANGKOK: -- A suspect who is the subject of an arrest warrant suspected of being involved bombing at various locations in Bangkok--including last week's Rangnam Road incident -- has contacted the police through his close aide to surrender himself to the authorities after Sorathian Singkanya, another suspect, was arrested Wednesday, according to Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai.

Mr Sorathian told police that he meet Mr Suwit, also known as Bungwai [surname unknown] when he joined the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters at Din Daeng intersection on May 17 and Mr Suwit persuaded him to learn how to assemble and place bombs in containers filled with fuel at a UDD tent in the Lumpini area.

The Court issued an arrest warrant for Mr Suwit Wednesday evening for illegal possession of bombs, carrying firearms and violating the emergency decree.

Police believed Mr Suwit may have been involved in bomb attacks at many locations in Bangkok.

Gen Wichai said after Mr Suwit's photo was published in the media, the suspect contacted the police through his friend saying that he wanted to turn himself in to defend himself against the accusations.

However, Mr Suwit did not specify when and where he will surrender to the authorities but initially he wanted to know if he would be granted release on bail after coming in and how much collateral was necessary to guarantee his bail.

Mr Sorathian was arrested for allegedly placing a bomb on Rangnam Road, near the King Power duty-free shopping complex on July 30, but he denied the charges.

A garbage scavenger was critically wounded in the ensuing explosion and remains hospitalised, unconscious and in critical condition.

The court on Wednesday also issued warrants for two suspects in the bombing on the street in front of the Big C department store in Rajprasong – Kittisak or Uan Soonsri and Seksan Worapiticharoenkul -- and ordered the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to seek more evidence for the third suspect -- Thanadej or Kai Akeapiwat -- prior to issuing a warrant.

Mr Seksan, a suspect in the bombing at Big C department store incident, was detained and is being questioned at DSI headquarters.

DSI Director General Tharit Pengdit said Mr Seksan turned himself in to police on Wednesday and investigators are expected to further question him Thursday.

Mr Tharit said that initially Mr Seksan admitted that he knew Mr Kittisak and had been present in a Honda Civic car carrying explosives intended to be assembled as car bomb that was found earlier at Ramintra Road Soi 34 by police on May 14.

However, Mr Seksan said he was unaware of how the car would be used and denied involvement in bombing at Big C department store.

The DSI chief said the authorities believed bombing at Big C department store and car with bomb found at Ramintra Road Soi 34 was linked as the electronic devices in both cases were found to be similar but the agency had to seek more evidence to confirm the case and Mr Seksan's DNA was collected for further investigation.

One person was killed while another ten were injured in a bombing at a bus stop near the now-closed Big C department store on Ratchadamri Road July 25, the first major violence in the Thai capital after the anti-government Red Shirt movement ended their six-week long rally at Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-08-05

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Suthep says emergency in Bangkok to remain

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that the state of emergency in Bangkok would continue for a while.

Suthep said it would be too risky to lift the state of emergency for no.

"We need more time to get everything in place. When we are confident that everything is OK, we'll lift it. We will not enforce the emergency law forever," Suthep said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Six confess to drug charges in Phuket

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Abhisit denies govt abused emergency law to harass political opponents

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday denied that his government had abused the emergency decreed to harass its political opponents.

Abhisit was responding to a question of Pheu Thai Party MP Phaichit Sriworakhan during the House meeting Thursday.

Phaichit demanded the prime minister to explain when the state of emergency in Bangkok would be lifted.

Abhisit said the government had lifted emergency in provinces where the emergency law was no longer necessary and the government would continue to lift the emergency.

He said the enforcement of the emergency decree had been enforced with transparency.

He said the government did not enforce the emergency decree to make arrests but it made arrests by invoking the Criminal Code to seek court's approval for arrest warrants.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Hassawut to become next Supreme Administrative Court president

Hassawut Withiwiriyakul, senior judge of Supreme Administrative Court, will become the next Supreme Administrative Court president.

The Administrative Court Judicial Commission Thursday voted to have Hassawut succeed Akharathorn Jurarat as the Supreme Administrative Court president when he retires at the age of 70 at the end of September.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Security at shopping malls in Bangkok tightened

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Many department stores in Bangkok have beefed up their security to prevent unexpected incidents while reviewing insurance policies to ensure thorough coverage.

Mr Thanapon Tangkananan, President of the Thai Retailers Association, stated that the two recent bombing incidents in Bangkok negatively affected the businesses of retailers and could obstruct them from growing in line with the overall economy. Therefore, he said a number of department stores in the city had heightened their security measures while additional officers had been deployed to patrol around the buildings and risky areas, such as parking lots. Stringent inspection of vehicles as well as bags and purses is also being conducted.

In the meantime, Mr Thanapon indicated that many entrepreneurs had reassessed their existing casualty insurance policies in order to make certain that any possible losses incurred by political incidents would be fully covered.

Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Sompop Manarangsan, the new President of the Panyapiwat Institute of Technology, mentioned that due to the political uncertainty, Thai people had become extremely cautious about their spending, especially on luxury goods. The Government is thus gradually launching stimulus measures, such as the two-year extension of the value-added tax (VAT) stabilization at 7%, in a bid to boost domestic consumption during the second half of this year.

Assoc Prof Sompop also viewed that an increase of product prices was likely late this year as a result of the rising global oil prices.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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Police to seek arrest warrants for Yellow Shirt protesters in airport seizure case if they fail to report after two summonses

-- TNA 2010-08-05

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ENVIRONMENT

Resistance renews against power plant in Chachoengsao

By Kesinee Tangkhieo

The Stop Global Warming Association and 651 villagers in Chachoengsao today seek the Administrative Court's injunction on the construction of a 540 megawatt coal-fired power plant in the province.

In their petition to the court, which holds the prime minister and government agencies as defendants, they said the power plant has not fulfilled the Constitution's Article 67 (2) and it could lead to health and environmental havoc to the local residents.

On the list of defendants are Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as chairman of the National Environment Board, Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning, and Industry Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat. They are accused of allowing the construction though the power plant has not yet completely followed the Constitution. This could affect the villagers' lives and way of living as the power plant is located amid the agricultural land.

The Stop Global Warming Association's president Srisuwan Janya urged the court to urgently consider this petition. He believed that within 1-2 months, the court could land the injunction order like what it did with the Map Ta Phut projects.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Police step up security in Bangkok following sabotage speculation

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt Gen Santhan Chayanon Thursday held an urgent meeting of commanders of all divisions of his bureau to instruct them to beef up security.

Sources from the Metropolitan Police Bureau said the meeting was held at 2 pm.

The commanders were instructed to increase the frequency of police patrolling in their areas of responsibility and to set up road checkpoints as well as increase security at spots, which could become bomb targets.

Santhan also instructed the police commanders to deploy police to patrol business areas, such as Yaowaraj and Silom, more often.

Reports had it that Silom and Yaowaraj might be bomb targets this month when the Supreme Court will make a decision whether to accept an appeal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra against the ruling that seized his assets worth Bt46 billion.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Quake hits Papua New Guinea

Sydney - A 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Papua New Guinea on Thursday but there were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake hit New Britain island, 570 kilometres from the capital, Port Moresby.

The centre of the quake was 54 kilometres underground, the United States Geological Survey said in a statement.

"Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected," the centre said.

New Britain is sparsely populated and largely tropical rain forest.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Phitsanulok residents warned of dengue fever outbreak

PHITSANULOK (NNT) .. The Phitsanulok Provincial Public Health Office warns local residents of an outbreak of dengue fever, claiming that 297 people have been infected by the disease so far.

MD Boonterm Tansurat of the Phitsanulok Provincial Public Health Office stated that the spread of dengue fever had become more serious in the province, especially in Chat Trakarn district. He urged the residents to take extra precautions in order to prevent themselves from infection.

According to the most recent reports, 297 Phitsanulok residents have been infected with dengue fever. MD Boonterm added that the province was ranked 47 among provinces with the highest number of infections.

People experiencing symptoms of dengue fever, such as high temperature and nausea, for 2-3 consecutive days are advised to meet doctors for examination and proper medical treatment. All stagnant waters, which could serve as mosquito breeding grounds, should also be eliminated in order to control the spread of the disease.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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Govt Warns against Planned Preah Vihear Rally

The deputy prime minister warns the People's Alliance for Democracy of possible legal action if the group seals off Government House entrances in its gathering against the government's policy on the Preah Vihear dispute.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban advised core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, Chamlong Srimuang to submit the group's statement to him or the prime minister rather than stage a rally at Government House.

The group has announced it will protest at Government House on this issue on Saturday.

Suthep cautioned a blockade at Government House is in violation of the law as Bangkok is still under the state of emergency and insisted there must be negotiations with Cambodia to address the Preah Vihear dispute.

Suthep also defends the role of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti in the conflict, saying the latter succeeded in convincing the World Heritage panel to postpone its review of Cambodia's management plan of the area surrounding the ancient temple until next year.

PAD spokesperson Parnthep Puapongpan, meanwhile, argued that Suwit's signing of a five-point statement at the end of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil has put Thailand at a disadvantage in next year's meeting as it could be seen as approval for Cambodia's building of a road which encroaches on Thai territory.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

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Former associate judge arrested with amphetamines worth Bt36 million

Former associate judge arrested in Phrakanong with amphetamines worth Bt36 million; claims he's seeking money for medical treatment

-- TNA 2010-08-05

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SET index closed at 874.92, up 7.58; Bt/USD31.72; GBP50.26; AUD28.79; EUR41.66; CAD30.91; HKD4.03; SGD23.32; JPY36.58

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Korn: Reduction of bank service fees, interest spread under discussion

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij indicates that banks are now considering the reduction of service fees and interest spread in order to ensure fairness for customers.

Mr Korn said that he had discussed with Mr Chartsiri Sophonpanich, President of Bangkok Bank and Chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, about the reduction of service charges and interest spread. According to the Finance Minister, Mr Chartsiri is ready to cooperate and is now arranging talks with the executives of other banks to exchange ideas on the matter.

Mr Korn added that the Bank of Thailand (BoT), led by Mr Prasarn Trairatvorakul who was recently appointed as the new governor, would take direct responsibility of the issue. He explained that if all banks agreed to cut their service fees and interest spread, a discussion would be held with Mr Prasarn in order to define operational guidelines that were fair for all concerned agencies.

-- NNT 2010-08-05

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Former associate judge arrested with 182,000 meth pills

A former associate judge has been arrested for allegedly possessing 182,000 methamphetamine tablets with intention to sell.

The illicit drug found in her Mercedes Benz, her house, and her apartment was worth about Bt36.4million.

Kittayaporn Selarak, who had worked as an associate judge in Mahasarakham for five years, was caught red-handed on Wednesday in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt General Santhan Chayanont announced her arrest at a press conference Thursday.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Wind Blows Metal Plate onto BTS Rail

Strong winds have blown a plate of metal onto the BTS rails near the Ratchathewi station heading towards Siam Center.

Officials say this has caused trains to slow down. Engineers are on the scene.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-05

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HM the King permits Queensland, Australia, to use his artificial rain making technology to combat drought /via @MCOTEnglishnews

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PM concerned over PAD's Saturday protest

A protest to be called by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Saturday would make the issue of Preah Vihear temple more complicated, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday.

"Frankly speaking, the rally could make the situation be more complicated but if they really want to do, they shall hold the demonstration in accordance with the law," he said.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang called a demonstration in front of the Prime Minister Office on Saturday demanding the government to revoke a memorandum of understanding on boundary demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000.

-- The Nation 2010-08-05

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Congrats to design editor @LeroyNewsDesign. Nation wins award for front page design from WAN-IFRA int'l media &publishers org. /via @veen_NT

The Nation front page which won the design award: http://tweetphoto.com/36947931 /via @tukky_nt

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Coyote dancer found dead in her North Pattaya apartment

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Chonburi Immigration Transnational Crime Data Center grand opening

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Headless corpse found on Island off the coast of Sattahip