Thailand Live Sunday 8 Aug 2010

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Thailand Live Sunday 8 August 2010

News, Bits and Tweets

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

For breaking news,national, regional and international news updates on

a daily basis only, this thread is closed to commentary so that those

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

Commentary is still open for Thailand news in the relevant thread posted in News Clippings.

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Related topic: Thailand Live Saturday 7 August 2010

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PM vows to uphold the country´s interest over Preah Vihear Temple issue

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, at 13.45 hrs, took to the podium of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) under the Thailand Patriot Network to declare the Government’s stance in the Preah Vihear Temple issue.

Since the morning of Saturday 7 August, a group of PAD protesters under the Thailand Patriot Network, led by Mr Veera Somkwamkid has gathered at the Thai-Japanese Stadium staging a rally to pressure the Government over the Preah Vihear Temple issue.

The Prime Minister has confirmed the Government’s stance in upholding the country’s interest and never sought any benefit from such the matter. He vowed that he would do the same whether he was in the post of the Prime Minister or the Opposition Leader as he did previously.

Some groups of protesters , however, were not satisfied with the Prime Minister's responses at some points and refused to to stage the rally at the Thai-Japanese Stadium, while the police force were stationed around the rally site to provide security against possible third-party instigation.

Another group of the Thailand Patriot Network led by Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong, insisted to stage the rally overnight in front of the 1st Army Area on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road to get the Prime Minister's clear stance over their questions on the country's benefits from the MoU signed with Cambodia since 2000 during the Government led by Mr Chuan Leekpai of Democrat Party.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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PAD satisfied with PM´s clarification

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Co-Leader of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Major General Jamlong Srimuang claims his satisfaction upon the Government's clarification over the Preah Vihear Temple dispute.

According to Maj Gen Jamlong, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had done a good job in clarifying the government’s resolutions towards the disputed Preah Vihear issue to the patriot activists who gathered at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday.

PAD co-founder urged all Thais to take actions in protecting the Thai sovereignty or else their ignorance may result in a major loss of land.

Meanwhile, the activists also took part in outlining the questions to be asked at the discussion between PAD representatives and the Government on Sunday.

PAD suggests the Government to deport those intruding the Thai territory back to Cambodia and not to let anyone linger in the disputed areas for too long.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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Northern residents plan their evacuation due to heavy rains and floods

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The heavy rain that causes widespread flooding in Northern Thailand has continually ravaged residents' properties and belongings.

Students and teachers of the Ban Nam Mong Pang Sa School in Nan province on Saturday were reportedly evacuated from the school by boat due to a broken bridge from heavy rainfall, while overall flood level across Nan Province has tended to become lower despite a close monitoring by the manipulation officers. Residents, however, are warned to prepare for flood evacuation and move their belongings to safer areas.

Meanwhile, the flood in Chiang Kham and Chun districts of Phayao province has started to overflow roads, homes and farms, so as in Mae Chan District of Chiang Rai province. Mae Chan residents reportedly moved their belongings due to flash flood. Schools in the area are also off as the water keeps rising to higher level.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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SIPA invests a million THB to set SSME training program to incite Thai economy

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) allocates a budget of one million THB to push the curriculum of Service Science, Management, and Engineering (SSME) with the hope to strengthen governmental and private sectors including educational institutions in IT in order to add more value to products and stimulate the Thai economy.

SIPA Deputy Director Wuttipong Pongsuwan stated that SIPA had moved forward the country’s software industry continuously, aiming to develop related organizations in use of IT system for its efficient management. Lately, SIPA has join forces with government, private and educational sectors in setting up a committee on SSME Thai with a budget provided at one million THB for implementing the project ‘IT Service Fast Track Program’. The program is for the training in service technology for business operators.

As to the training program provided so far, several organizations have achieved good results in the use of IT for management process such as the use of multi-purpose time recorder in the Office of Social Security. The training program has been supported by IBM in providing experts to give suggestions in the project implementation as well.

Mr Wuttipong cited that Thailand was capable in service techniques and was highly competitive in the service field but the country lacked knowledge in adopting IT for those competition. The project thus is to strengthen IT knowledge which is key in driving the nation’s economy forward in all aspects, including tourism, agriculture, industry, health care and logistics.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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Security heightened at the Thai-Myanmar border areas

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Security measures have been heightened along the Thai-Myanmar border areas following a bomb blast in the town of Myawaddy, Myanmar on Friday night.

Officers of the Mae Sot Taskforce, in Mae Sot district of Tak province have been deployed along the Thai-Myanmar border areas in order to prevent any movements of the Myanmar's anti-government group who use the Thai territory as their base.

The bomb explosion took place near a local night market in the border town of Myawaddy in Kayin state on Friday evening. A source says that the task forces have been fully deployed in Myawaddy by the Myanmar junta to give a thorough inspection towards the movements of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) Brigade 5, whose commander, Na Kham Mwe, continues to refuse to transform into a Border Guard Force as requested by the Myanmar Government.

Meanwhile, the Thai-Myanmar border still remains sealed and no trade movements have been reported since mid-July.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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Floods in north

By The Nation on Sunday

Floodwater destroyed part of a 200-year-old temple wall in Nan's Muang district yesterday, while cooked food and drinking water was given to 15 families in Baan Poung Payom after their homes were severely hit, a source reported.

Downpour-triggered floodwater that caused the Nan River to rise at an average of seven centimetres per hour also threatened to inundate nearby Baan Don Sriserm Kasikorn.

Nan Muang mayor Surapol Thiensut got four water pumps to help drain water, while four more pumps were set as backup. Residents in 28 at-risk communities were warned to move belongings to higher ground and follow weather news closely.

In Chiang Rai, after the "worst flash flood in 20 years" had hit Mae Chan district's tambon Pa Teung on Friday and completely subsided yesterday, the authorities reported that 1,000 families were affected but none was injured nor dead.

Meanwhile, some 50 homes in 12 downstream villages in Chiang Saen district's tambon Sri Donmoon were flooded yesterday but the damage remained minimal.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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71 attacks last month

By The Nation on Sunday

Some 71 violent incidents took place in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat last month. All up a total of 39 people were killed and 57 others injured, a source from a national security unit said yesterday.

The most frequent tactic was suspected insurgents ambushing people (37 incidents), followed by bomb attacks (20 cases).

Pattani had the most attacks at 28 incidents, followed by Narathiwat - 26 - and Yala with 20 incidents.

In related news, a 32-year-old ranger was killed in an ambush in Yala's Krong Pinang district yesterday, police said. Corporal Suchart Suadam was killed by at least four insurgents while riding his motorcycle in Paejaeng village in tambon Sa-eh at 10.40am. The insurgents took the ranger's rifle before fleeing from the scene.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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H1N1 flu scare cancels educators conference

By The Nation on Sunday

The Amnat Charoen educational zone office yesterday instructed dozens of education officials who were diagnosed with the type-A (H1N1) influenza during a nine-day seminar in an Ubon Ratchathani hotel last week to stay at home and separate from family members to prevent the disease spreading.

The random test's diagnosis of human Swine flu among 60 participants had prompted the seminar to be called off and all 336 participants were asked to leave Ubon Ratchathani.

Amnat Charoen educational zone office deputy director Saman Choungchote said that the participants, most of whom were school directors, were asked to go on leave and be isolated for at least seven days before they could go back to work. The provincial health office also screened all these school directors as well as related schoolteachers and schoolchildren for the flu.

It was also reported that a school director's wife might have caught the flu from her husband and was rushed to hospital, where doctors were testing for confirmation.

Meanwhile, the Ubon Ratchathani public health office dispatched officials to do health checks on seminar attendees at various hotels yesterday and distribute hand-cleaning gel and facemasks as precautions. Hotels were also urged to clean their air-conditioning systems, rooms and elevators, to distribute hand gel and facemasks, to educate visitors about the flu, and to be on alert for suspected flu patients.

In related news, two fifth-graders at the Marie Anusorn School in Buri Ram's Muang district who contracted the flu and remained in hospital, were recovering and should be released home in one or two days.

The school, which immediately closed on Friday after 19 fifth-graders were said to have the flu, will open as usual tomorrow and a flu-screening procedure will be conducted on all schoolchildren before they enter classrooms. Those with symptoms will be excused from classes. This year so far, Buri Ram has had 11 confirmed cases of the H1N1, with one death.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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CALL-CENTRE SCAM

Chinese, Taiwanese ATM gangs nabbed

By Supachai Petchthavee

The Nation on Sunday

Group of 15 duped people of at least Bt350m in two months; 13 arrested, two on the run

A total of 13 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals have been arrested for allegedly running two "call centres" that duped Chinese people into sending Bt350 million via ATMs within two months, senior police said yesterday.

Central Investigation Bureau deputy-commissioner Maj-General Panya Mamen told a press conference yesterday police obtained a search warrant after they discovered the gangsters were staying in two rented houses in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district.

Police raided the two homes within the same compound and arrested seven men and five women. The men were Wang Jui Yuan, 35, Chao <deleted> Tsai, 50, Le Tien Lun, 40, Tseng Tung Liang, 47, Wu Ming Shih, 36, Kuo Hung Lin, 29, and Lai Jin Cheng, 29. The women were Chou Ping Tzu, 22, Zhao Yanjun, 28, Ma Shuhong, 22, Zeng Yuhua, 28, and Huang Yuye, 29.

Police also raided another house in Chon Buri's Muang district on the same morning, where the second gang was reportedly operated, arresting 41-year-old Taiwanese man Lui Bowei, who was about to flee.

They also seized a pistol, 24 mobile phones, 12 computer notebooks, 15 Internet connection devices and 69 Chinese bank ATM cards. Police found documents for house renting and an Internet usage application under the name of a suspected Thai accomplice.

Wang Jui Yuan reportedly told police he set up a call centre to dupe Chinese and Taiwanese people and that the Thai man arranged them two houses, which they rented for Bt50,000 a month, each.

Panya said the two gangs based in Thailand had caused losses of Bt350 million during April and May. Police said two more Taiwanese suspects - Lui Yun Peng and Chen Tsung-I - remained at large, so they would issue arrest warrants to capture them soon.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Top violin-maker here with rare exhibition

By Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

A Stradivarius violin carved out in 1667 by Italian maker Antonio Stradivari hangs in a glass panel. You can only take a hard look at it. You don't dare touch it or ask its price. Every Stradivarius has a soul, a mysterious life within it.

Mathias Boegner, a German-born violinist, takes the Stradivarius out, tunes it a little bit before playing the Bach Chaconne, arguably the greatest solo piece for the violin. The sound is bright and it reverberates throughout the small room on the upper floor of Franke Violins at 119 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 12 in Hua Mak, Bang Kapi.

Boegner is an accomplished violinist. He makes quick adjustment to the violin.

This is an early Stradivarius, made when Stradivari was probably 22 years old and was about to set a new standard for violin-making. It might not have the power of the later instruments, but it was warm to play with. You have to dig in to "wake up" the Stradivarius to bring out the sound. At that stage Stradivari was still several years before reaching his golden period of violin-making at the dawn of the 18th century.

The 1667 Stradivarius is beautiful to look at. Other rare violins are also on display at Franke Violins. Andy Franke is the fourth generation of a violin-making and restoring family from Leipzig. He is quite excited to have been able to put together more than 20 violins from the 18th, 19th and also 20th centuries for display to the Thai public. But violin lovers better hurry, as the exhibition will end tomorrow.

Eric Blot, the French born violin-maker and appraiser, is in town with the collection. He is an expert on Italian-made violins. Before he made violins, but now he has no time for it. His son is taking over from him as Eric is now focusing mainly on researching, cataloguing and appraising the Italian-made violins in his vast database and workshop in Cremona, Italy.

Blot started to study the 19th and 20th century Italian-made violins and gradually developed his expertise. Now customers come over to let him look at their violins and ask for his opinion. He issues certificates to authenticate them. He is also a violin dealer. Italian-made violins are considered to be the highest quality of all due the country's long tradition, tracing back to Amati and Stradivari.

On display at the exhibition are a Poggi Bologna 1977, a Viovanni Francesco Pressenda Torino 1834, a Carlo Giuseppe Testore Milano 1696, a Tommaso Balestrieri Mantova 1775, a Vencenzo Sannino Napoli 1930-40, a Poggi Balogna 1971, a Felice Oliveri Torino 1874, a Rodolfo Fredi Roma 1926, a Plinio Michetti Torino 1936, a Sesto Rocchi Milano 1931, a Gaetano Pareschi Ferrara 1929, and a Romeo Antoniazzi Milano 1921.

Blot has numerous publications about Italian-made violins to his credit. He also takes time to lecture about Italian-made violins.

Blot said sometimes he can tell the maker of an Italian-made violin with just a glance, but other times he simply does not know and has to do research. The problem is makers in the past put on, or changed, labels all the time.

The more research he does, the more fresh discoveries he makes. He now has more than 1,100 Italian violin-makers listed in his database. "And this number is growing all the time," he said.

This is a special field of study. Blot has to learn about the makers as individuals, the violins they made, the schools they belonged to, the cities they came from or where they acquired influence. Blot would not say who his favourite violin-maker is, because no matter how good the maker was, he sometimes turned out not-so-good violins.

Blot normally closes his workshop at 7pm. But he will stay on for another two hours to study violins further or talk with customers who show him violins.

This exhibition is a rare event in Bangkok. Normally, Blot organises one in Japan, Korea or Taiwan. But on coming to Bangkok, he has realised that Thailand is now becoming a big market for violins.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Show to honor Queen

By The Nation on Sunday

The 4th annual caladium (flower) show will be held at Queen Sirikit Park from Tuesday until Sunday (August 10-15) from 8am-8pm to celebrate HM the Queen's birthday on Thursday, Agricultural Extension Department chief Ath Intharak said yesterday.

The event - hosted by the department, HM the Queen's Sirikit Park Foundation and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration - features bamboo products and handicraft contests. At least 50,000 visitors are expected.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Groups vow to rally if medical bill is scrapped

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation on Sunday

Non-government groups are threatening to rally if the Medical Malpractice Victim Protection Bill is scrapped by the government.

They have also reportedly prepared a 20-point report outlining advantages of the bill for doctors.

Meanwhile, a top health official has vowed to ensure a panel seeking to resolve problems with the bill

has representatives of all groups involved.

Permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit made the remark yesterday as doctors continued to refuse to attend a meeting of the panel.

Representatives of NGOs that back the bill went to the meeting, but officials from the Federation of Doctors at State, General and Provincial Hospitals and the Medical Association - groups allegedly unhappy with the make-up of the panel - didn't show up.

Health Commission secretary Amphon Jindawatana and Health Systems Research Institute director Dr Pongpisut Jong-udomsuk - the panel members facing opposition - were also absent.

Half an hour into the meeting, the Federation of Doctors at State, General and Provincial Hospitals president Dr Pojana Kong-ngern and her adviser Dr Sirichai Silpa-archa showed up to submit a letter to Paijit at the conference room. Paijit spoke with the two for 10 minutes, but no media were present.

Sirichai told reporters the federation said in its note that they didn't attend because the meeting was called at short notice and they couldn't gather opinions from related medical agencies. They also thought that taking part while they weren't ready - in terms of information - would not yield a good conclusion, he said.

They proposed a meeting be held with the federation, its allies and facilitating agencies while another meeting be held for those supporting the bill and facilitating agencies. Then each side's points could be presented and concluded in another meeting before the two opposing groups meet with the Public Health Minister to talk over their differences, he said.

After the meeting, Paijit told reporters they would set up a new panel and he would be its chairman. He said that, since some doctors weren't present this meeting was only for discussion and they agreed that the ministry would not be part of the new panel - it would only facilitate its meetings.

Paijit said they also agreed that the panel be increased to properly represent all groups and that it would make a joint proposal between service providers and patients.

He said they agreed that each side should reach conclusions among themselves before talking with those with opposing views.

Foundation for Consumers manager Saree Ongsomwang said her agency would write a 20-point report about benefits of the bill for doctors and the public. She warned that they would oppose people trying to get the bill scrapped. Her group wants the bill to pass through Parliament within three months.

The panel was initially meant to have no more than 20 members, but the minister Jurin Laksanavisit ended up approving 24 panellists. The extra names upset the Federation of Doctors at State, General and Provincial Hospitals and the Medical Association to the point that they refused to cooperate.

Amphon has been a strong supporter of the bill and has often spoken to the media in a way that made opponents feel like he was making thinly veiled attacks at them.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Panitan in the dark

By The Nation on Sunday

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva seems to be unaware of a move to seek the transfer of his deputy secretary-general Panitan Wattanayagorn to the Foreign Ministry.

Panitan, an academic and expert on political and security affairs, who is also the acting government spokesman, was expected to replace MP-elect Panich Vikitsreth as assistant to the foreign minister.

Abhisit said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya might be considering some names before sending him the nomination in a few days.

"I'm still dazed about the issue. Neither the prime minister nor Kasit talked to me about this," Panitan said.

"In my understanding, the foreign minister must be trying to recruit someone to be his assistant as the workload at the ministry is huge. It must be discussed among the Democrats, [and is] not my business," he said.

Asked whether he was interested in the job, he said: "What can I say? Nobody has discussed this with me."

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Many Thai red shirts 'abandoned' by their leaders: human rights activist

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PM Abhisit Eases Yellow Shirts Protesters' Worries

Abhisit assuages yellow-shirt worries about 2000 MoU with Cambodia; Rebel PAD faction defies emergency and rallies in front of Govt House

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HEADLINE MAKER

Shawn W Crispin wouldn't live anywhere else but Thailand

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Ranger shot dead in Yala

YALA: -- A ranger was killed in an ambush by insurgents in this southern border province Saturday.

Police said Cpl Suchart Suadam, 32, was cut down in gunfire by at least four insurgents while he was riding his motorcycle in Paejaeng village in Tambon Sa-eh of Krong Penang district at 10:40 am.

The insurgents took Suchart's rifle and fled the scene.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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PM reminds PAD Thailand lost Preah Vihear in 1962

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy that Thailand had lost Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia by a world court's ruling in 1962.

The prime minister was speaking to PAD demonstrators at the Thai-Japanese Stadium at noon Saturday in live-telecast session.

"If you're talking about wanting it back, i have no different desire as you guys. We lost the temple in BE 2505 during Field Marshal Salit [Thanrat]," Abhisit said.

"Back then, Field Marshal Salit has restricted our rights to reclaim it back, that once we have evidence to prove the temple is ours."

He said Thailand could only spend the next year to explain to Unesco about its objection to Cambodia's management plan of the Preah Vihear world heritage site that might violate Thailand's territorial rite over the plot Thailand regards as its land near the temple.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Abhisit says demarcation MOU with Cambodia may be last option

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the People's Alliance for Democracy that the cancellation of the border demarcation memorandum of understanding with Cambodia will be done only if the border disputes cannot be solved.

Abhist was speaking when he met PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang and PAD demonstrators at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng at noon Saturday.

The PAD called on the government to cancel the 2000 MOU and take the disputed plot near Preah Vihear Temple.

"I confirm that the MFA has been working hard on this, to make sure our rights haven't been breached," Abhisit said.

"About the land encroachment, we will cancel the MOU if the problem can't be settled. We will use both democratic and military means," Abhisit said, referring to the plot near the temple.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Bomb explosion in Burma kills at least 2

At least two people were killed in a bomb blast on Friday at a market in the town of Myawaddy opposite Tak province.

The explosion occurred in a region where ethnic Karen fighters are battling the government near the border with Thailand.

This busy town is opposite Mae Sot district of Tak province.

The blast also destroyed houses and market shops there.

Burma has been hit by several bomb blasts in recent years, which the junta has blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels.

The bomb went off one day before the anniversary of the popular uprising in Burma, known as 8/8/88, which ended after about hundreds were killed and thousands others wounded in a bloody military crackdown.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Bangkok: Vows to Uncover Truth

As criticism mounts of the Thai government’s response to the deaths of two foreign newsmen during recent political violence in Bangkok, the sister of slain Italian photographer Fabio Polenghi says she will not give up the search for the truth behind her brother’s death.

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Andaman Motor Expo underway in Phuket

Two 'pretty' presenters pose with an Isuzu D-Max pickup at the Andaman Motor Expo 2010 that began yesterday at Central Festival Phuket.

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Thai-Burmese border closure leads to shortages in Rangoon

A month-long closure of the Thai-Burmese border to trade has caused a shortage of consumer items such as televisions and refrigerators in Rangoon, media reports said Sunday.

Burmese ruling junta last month shut down the Myawaddy-Mae Sot border crossing after accusing Thailand of building an embankment on the Moei River to alter the common border line.

Mae Sot, in Thailand's Tak province, is a major source of Thai consumer goods into neighbouring Burma, usually transported across the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge.

With the route now blocked, retailers in Rangoon - Burma's largest city and former capital - have started to complain of shortages and rising prices, the Myanmar Times reported.

"Television sales increased prior to and during the World Cup. I was able to sell almost every TV set I had and I'm about to run out," a senior sales and marketing manager of an electronics firm was quoted as saying.

Htay Aung, a spokesman for Khit Thit Electronics Center, said the only products his company had left were those that have been imported via normal trade channels.

"We have run out of stock that we'd normally import via border trade, mainly televisions and refrigerators," he said.

Most retailers prefer importing electrical goods from Thailand via the border because they can avoid paying taxes on them.

Appliances imported by air or sea are taxed 40 per cent of value.

"Selling electronics is a very competitive market and retailers do what they have to do. That's why most importers mix their tax-paid televisions with those they've bought through border trade," Htay Aung said.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

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Wet market to open this month: Phuket City Municipality

The new market on Ranong Road replaces the squalid market

that operated at the same site since WWII. File photo.

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Thai PM reiterates 2000 MoU benefits Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) contains benefits to Thailand as it prevents the Cambodian government from submitting its map to the UNESCO World Heritage Commission (WHC) because the border demarcation is not yet completed.

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Thai Buddhist woman shot dead by two gunmen armed with M16 and AK47 assault rifles as she tapped rubber in Narathiwas plantation /via @MCOTEnglishnews:

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Police attempting to end rally on Temple row

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, will negotiate with Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, the core leader of the Thais Love Nation network, in a bid to end their rally in Bangkok this afternoon demanding the government to urgently solve the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

A number of the civil network supporters are still gathering in front of the Army Region 1 headquarters in order to put a pressure against the Government on the Preah Vihear Temple issue.

The protesters are reportedly deciding whether they should disperse or continue their street-protest at the end of the discussion between the Government and network representatives about the Thai-Cambodian border dispute which was broadcast live on NBT this afternoon.

Police Major General Wichai has asked the protesters to disperse as soon as possible; otherwise, the officers will take legal actions against them immediately since the demonstration has blocked public transportation.

The commander added that he would not yet deploy more police officers to control the situation around the rally site as it was deemed unnecessary at present.

-- NNT 2010-08-08

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Buddhist woman killed by Muslim insurgents in Narathiwat

NARATHIWAT: -- A Buddhist woman was gunned down apparently by Muslim insurgents in this southern border province Saturday.

Ratana Kwanjai, 42, was shot and killed in her rubber plantation in Tambon Kaluwor of Muang district.

She suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Police found eight M16 and AK-47 spent shells at the scene.

-- The Nation 2010-08-08

[Maestro]

to be continued

Thailand Live Monday 9 August 2010

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